How is data being collected?
Data collection will take place via two online data collection web tools – one for your rheumatology clinician and one for you.
We would like you to provide information via myarthritisaudit.org.uk. To access the website, you will receive a link and instructions to your email address.
If you do not have internet access or would prefer not to use the website, you can still participate. Your rheumatology clinician can provide you with paper questionnaires that you can complete and return to them.
Depending on your diagnosis, you will be asked to complete forms after your first appointment, after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. You do not need to remember the dates as we will send a reminder to your email address.
How long will the audit continue for?
The audit is currently funded for until September 2025 with the possibility of a further extension.
What is Early Inflammatory Arthritis (EIA)?
What is the audit about?
An audit is a process of gathering information, here this is done through questionnaires. The National Early inflammatory Arthritis Audit is designed so that the results help clinicians improve the quality of care for patients with inflammatory arthritis and control their joint inflammation. For patients the aim is that you may become more aware of the care you receive and more able to take control of your health.
When will you report outcomes of the audit?
Annual reports specifically for patients will be published from Autumn 2019.
Who can take part in the audit?
The audit will include all NHS hospitals in England and Wales that provide specialist rheumatology outpatient services. Private providers of NHS-funded rheumatology outpatient services are also eligible to take part.
All patients referred to these services with suspected early inflammatory arthritis are entered into the audit, but we only require patient questionnaires from those with a confirmed diagnosis of rheumatoid or rheumatoid pattern arthritis.
Who is running the audit?
BSR (the British Society for Rheumatology) was awarded the contract to run the audit in partnership with Net Solving (who also run the IT for a number of other national audits). We are also working closely with the academic unit at Kings College London, who will provide statistical analysis capability.
Who will my data be shared with?
Your data will be shared with Net Solving, and then Kings College London. All information will be anonymised, so we will not see your name, date of birth or post code.