Summary
Objectives
To determine how fast rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was diagnosed in a group of patients in a rural area and whether medical care and patient satisfaction were adequate in a predominantly non-urban settlement.
Methods
When visiting their rheumatologist, patients with RA were asked to complete a questionnaire at home after the consultation and then return it to an independent opinion research centre, where the data were collected and analysed. The form comprised various areas, namely demography, aspects of the diagnosis, medical care, therapeutic measures and the illness in a personal context.
Results
Of 150 patients, 127 answered the questionnaire. A total of 63 % of the patients lived in settlements of less than 5,000 inhabitants, and a further 18 % in settlements of more than 5,000–50,000 inhabitants. The rheumatologist attended could be reached within 1 h for 90 % of the patients.
In slightly fewer than 30 % of the respondents, the diagnosis of RA was made within 3 months, and in 44%, within 6 months. In 75 %, the diagnosis was made by a rheumatologist. After experiencing the first symptoms, 80 % of the respondents contacted their general practitioner. A high degree of satisfaction appears to originate from the information supplied by the rheumatologist attended. Most patients believed they were involved in decision making regarding their therapy.
Conclusion
The majority of the respondents came from rural areas. RA was diagnosed within 6 months for almost half of the patients questioned. Most patients believed they were well informed and involved in therapeutic decision making.
Zusammenfassung
Ziel
Es soll festgestellt werden, wie schnell eine rheumatoide Arthritis (RA) bei Patienten in einer ländlichen Region diagnostiziert wird und ob die medizinische Versorgung und Patientenzufriedenheit in einer nicht-städtischen Umgebung entsprechend ist.
Methoden
Ein Fragebogen wurde an Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis im Rahmen einer Visite bei ihrem Rheumatologen ausgehändigt. Dieser wurde zu Hause ausgefüllt und an ein unabhängiges Meinungsforschungsinstitut retourniert, wo die Daten gesammelt und analysiert wurden. Das Formular umfasst die Bereiche Demographie, Aspekte der Diagnose, medizinische Versorgung und die Krankheit in einem persönlichen Kontext.
Ergebnisse
127 Patienten beantworteten den Fragebogen; 63 % der Befragten waren aus Orten unter 5000 Einwohner, weitere 18 % aus Orten mit 5000 bis 50.000 Einwohnern. Der behandelnde Rheumatologe war für 90 % der Erkrankten innerhalb einer Stunde erreichbar.
Nur bei knapp 30 % der Befragten wurde innerhalb von 3 Monaten die Diagnose einer RA gestellt, bei 44 % innerhalb von 6 Monaten. Bei 80 % war der erste Ansprechpartner nach Auftreten von Symptomen der Hausarzt. Bei 75 % der Befragten wurde die Diagnose schließlich durch einen Rheumatologen gestellt. Es besteht hohe Zufriedenheit mit der Information durch die behandelnden Rheumatologen. Die meisten Patienten werden in die Entscheidung hinsichtlich ihrer Therapieform einbezogen.
Fazit
Die Mehrheit der Befragten kam aus dem ländlichen Raum. Bei fast der Hälfte der Patienten wurde die Diagnose einer RA innerhalb von 6 Monaten gestellt. Die meisten Patienten fühlten sich gut informiert und in die therapeutische Entscheidungsfindung einbezogen.
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Acknowledgements
This project was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Roche Austria.
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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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Puchner, R., Brezinschek, H., Herold, M. et al. Quality of care of rural rheumatoid arthritis patients in Austria. Wien Klin Wochenschr 126, 360–367 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-014-0540-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-014-0540-6
Keywords
- Quality of care
- Influence of medical consultation on patient satisfaction
- Rural patients in Austria
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- The patient’s view