2026-05-30T03:54:25Zhttps://riuma.uma.es/rest/oai/request

oai:riuma.uma.es:10630/116422026-02-03T12:18:49Zcom_10630_2254col_10630_37959

Provision of care services for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases-related foot and ankle problems: a survey from sixteen european countries Alcacer-Pitarch, Begonya Backhouse, Michael Gijón-Noguerón, Gabriel Biscontini, Devid Foot & Ankle Study Group Reumatología DOI:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.4435 Background: The increased prevalence of foot and ankle pathologies in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) is well documented1, however the provision of foot & ankle (F&A) healthcare services for people with RMDs in Europe has not been evaluated. Objectives: To assess the current healthcare systems for providing foot & ankle healthcare services for people with RMDs in Europe. Methods: A survey was undertaken to evaluate current provision of F&A health care services for people with RMDs across Europe. A questionnaire was distributed to all 22 country presidents representing HP associations within EULAR. The questionnaire used was developed and piloted (in 7 countries) by the EULAR F&A Study Group, and structured to capture the provision and type of F&A services for people with RMDs. When the HP presidents felt unable to answer specific questions they were encouraged to consult a colleague who may be better placed to provide the answers. Results: Sixteen questionnaires were completed (Norway, Ireland, Sweden, Hungary, Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France, Czech Republic, Spain, Belgium, Malta). Of the 16, 13 respondents indicated provision of F&A health care services in their country, but only three countries had services specialising in RMD-related F&A problems (Netherlands, UK, Malta). The professions providing the care for patients with RMD-related F&A problems were different depending on the pathology and the country (Table1). Podiatrists provided care for F&A pain and deformity problems in 11 countries, but provided F&A ulcer care in only 8 countriesConclusions: Only 3 countries have F&A health care services specialised to the needs of people with RMDs. The professions providing the care varied between countries, and also depended on the F&A pathology. Interestingly, F&A healthcare services were provided by professions that do not solely specialised in F&A care. Further research is needed to assess the variation of F&A healthcare services between and within European countries and the impact on healthcare of various F&A healthcare service designs. References: Woodburn, J. & Helliwell, P. Foot problems in rheumatology. Rheumatology 36, 932-934 (1997). 2016-06-24T09:33:52Z 2016-06-24T09:33:52Z 2016 conference output http://hdl.handle.net/10630/11642 eng Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2016) Londres 08/06/2016 open access by-nc-nd European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)