As a rheumatologist, one way to operate more cost effectively is to employ your existing knowledge and experience. “Thoroughly review a patient’s records. Ask them to describe their symptoms in detail, and perform an examination,” Dr. Shoor says. “Then compose a hypothesis of what their condition might be and formulate the best way to test it.”
A New Initiative
At Stanford, Dr. Shoor is involved in a pilot study that combines his experience at Kaiser with Stanford’s state-of-the-art arthritis self-management program in an effort to reengineer its traditional academic rheumatology clinic. The goals are to expand patient accessibility to physicians, increase patient satisfaction and improve ease of care and convenience for patients by helping them employ self-management strategies. Every patient with a diagnosed condition participates in a self-management course online.
“It gives patients the tools to learn what exercises they can benefit from and apply techniques for pain control, and helps them better understand their medications and when to take them—among other benefits,” Dr. Shoor says.
In addition, a medical assistant checks in with patients either via phone or email in between visits and asks them questions to solicit their needs. “We track patient-defined needs along with specific disease outcome measures,” Dr. Shoor says.
Ultimately, “We believe disease outcomes will become better because we proactively monitor patients and make corrections between visits,” Dr. Shoor says. “We think patient satisfaction will improve by increasing contact between visits and by having them use the educational program.”
Karen Appold is a medical writer in Pennsylvania.
