To the Editor:
Our research group investigated reasons for provision of suboptimal healthcare for persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) within the McGill University health network. In light of the recent article by Graydon and Thompson1, and the accompanying editorial by Harrington2, we report some of our preliminary findings.
Recent work by Feldman, et al3 suggested low rates of rheumatology referral for persons with suspected RA in Quebec, so we began with a series of focus group discussions to investigate reasons for this phenomenon. We conducted separate focus groups for major stakeholders (patients, family physicians, rheumatologists, allied healthcare providers, and administrative healthcare decision-makers). We had 3 focus groups for family physicians, with a total of 13 participants (9 men, 4 women).
Across the stakeholder groups, commonly emerging themes included the value of communication (between physicians and patients, and between healthcare providers), education (of patients, healthcare providers, and the general community), and adequate …
Address reprint requests to Dr. S. Bernatsky, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 687 Pine, Avenue West, V-Building, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada. E-mail: sasha.bernatsky{at}mail.mcgill.ca