Rheumatoid arthritis program continues musculoskeletal series on March 9th
March 4, 2010An interactive television broadcast and simultaneous webcast about early rheumatoid arthritis - the second program in the Rural Health Education Foundation’s four-part series exploring the national musculoskeletal clinical guidelines - is scheduled for Tuesday March 9th.
Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Clinical Guideline for Diagnosis and Management focuses on diagnosis, early management, and coordination of multidisciplinary care needs for people with rheumatoid arthritis. The hour-long program, which features a filmed case study and an expert panel discussion, also reviews pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
Limiting structural damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis
“One in every 100 Australians is affected by rheumatoid arthritis, which is a major cause of disability and psychological distress due to its chronic, painful and disabling character,” says Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Don Perlgut. “This new program explores ways in which early diagnosis and medical intervention can limit structural damage and improve health outcomes.”
Case studies and an expert panel
Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Clinical Guideline for Diagnosis and Management features a filmed case study and a panel discussion chaired by Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
The panel of medical practitioners features Dr John Bennett, a General Practitioner from the University Health Service at the University of Queensland (RACGP Rheumatoid Arthritis Working Group); Professor Lyn March, a Rheumatologist at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney (RACGP Rheumatoid Arthritis Working Group); Ms Christine Retallack, a Rheumatology Community Health Nurse at Great Southern Aboriginal and Community Health in Albany, WA; and Associate Professor Louise Sharpe, the Director of Clinical Research in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney.
Second of four musculoskeletal programs
The other three programs in the Foundation’s new Musculoskeletal Guideline Series are:
- Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: Guideline for Non-surgical Management (airing March 23)
- Osteoporosis: Clinical Guideline (airing April 20)
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Clinical Guideline for Diagnosis and Management (already aired and now available on DVD and online)
About the national musculoskeletal guidelines
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has developed national musculoskeletal clinical guidelines for general practitioners and other primary care health professionals for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and osteoporosis.
Available via satellite, as a web-cast and by web-streaming
All four programs in the series will be available for viewing live as a simulcast via the Foundation’s satellite network and via web-casting from our website. (Please register for the live web-casts in advance through the program summary page).
After its initial simulcast, each program will also be available free on the Internet for viewing via web-streamed video or listening via an audio podcast.
Free DVDs
The Musculoskeletal Guideline Series will also be available for free on DVD in May 2010. You can pre-order a free copy of the series on DVD via the online series summary page (note the number of copies are limited, so order now).
Program funding
Production of the four programs and the free distribution of the Musculoskeletal Guideline Series on DVD has been funded by Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
About rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease, is the second most common type of arthritis after osteoarthritis, and is more common amongst women and in the older age groups.
Untreated rheumatoid arthritis can result in joint damage and deformities. The disease impacts on activities of daily living, capacity to work, and family life.
More information
For more information about the Musculoskeletal Guideline Series - including presenter details, access instructions and associated educational resources - go to the online series summary page and follow the links, or contact the Foundation.