Improving early referrals for inflammatory arthritis through primary care engagement: a quality improvement initiative.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Early rheumatology referral is crucial for optimal outcomes in inflammatory arthritis, but delays remain common. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to identify barriers and implement strategies to improve referral adequacy and timeliness within a newly established early referral program. Despite the implementation of a direct referral pathway for primary care physicians, many patients did not meet eligibility criteria, limiting access for those with early inflammatory arthritis.

Methods

Since January 2022, a 1 day/week early arthritis clinic has offered direct and rapid access to rheumatology appointments to 180 primary care physicians (PCPs) across 11 centres. Standardized referral criteria were co-developed with a PCPs committee. A survey assessed PCPs'

SUBMITTER: Bourgeois C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12679592 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature