Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Implementing a patient-initiated review system for people with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective, comparative service evaluation.
The management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually entails regular hospital reviews with a specialist often when the patient is well rather than during a period of exacerbation. An alternative approach where patients initiate appointments when they need them can improve patient satisfaction and resource use whilst being safe. This service evaluation reports a system-wide implementation of a patient-initiated review appointment system called Direct Access (DA) for people with RA. The aim was to establish the impact on patient satisfaction of the new system versus usual care as well as evaluate the implementation processes. ⋯ This service evaluation found that DA could be implemented and it demonstrated patient benefit in a real-world setting. Further research establishing the broader cost-consequences across the whole patient pathway would add to our findings.