ONLINE COUNSELLING for PATIENTS with ARTHRITIS

ABSTRACT

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives. Perhaps the biggest changes have been in medical services. Institutes specializing in RMD in Serbia were part of the covid system and patients only had access in emergency cases, there was no regular examinations. Objectives: The paper will show how the 'Online Counselling for Arthritis Patients (OCAP)' worked during the pandemic, how many rheumatologists and patients were involved and were patients satisfed with the service provided. Methods: Through the platform 'Lekarinfo' ORS,1 in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, organized an OCAP. Patients were informed about the possibility of using online consultations with rheumatologists via social networks, viber groups. email. and they were given instructions how to use it, they were advised to send medical documentation before, so the doctor has time to look at it, which gives more time for conversation. Consultations were held by phone or online, depending of patient's wishes and abilities. The time set aside with a rheumatol-ogist was 20 minutes and with a psychologist 30 minutes. One psychologist and 23 rheumatologists were available. The ORS distributed cards to rheumatogists with all necessary data about OCAP to inform their patients. Results: ORS conducted a Survey about OCAP. It was completed by 100 respondents, aged 20 to 75 of whom 75% were women. The 44% of respondents were from Belgrade, but it also included respondents from all over the country. RA have 61% of respondents, but patients with other types of arthritis were also included. 4/5 of patients are non-smokers and half of them are on biological therapy. All but one respondents are ORS's members. The results of Survey are the following OCAP was used by 27% of respondents and all of them were satisfed except one. Everyone would use it again and would advise others to do so. Online consultation can replace live examination, when the disease is in remission, thinks 62% of respondents. The majority (90%) found it technically easy to use it, but also the majority of respondents felt that there is a space for improvement (70%). One third prefers to have online consultations with their rheumatologist, Half of them understand the importance of telemedicine, 61% think that C-19 pandemic has increased the need for it and 64% think that digital solutions are our perspectives and it should be further developed. Conclusion: It is desirable to continue with this kind of telemedicine. Patients and their families should be encouraged and educated about using digital platforms, aim is to explain them the benefts of telemedicine and that consultations do not necessarily have to be with their rheumatologists. Regardless of the pandemic, digitalization is in every aspect of our life, it is inevitable, but also it is a great advantage that should not be missed. Investments in the development of online platforms, that will facilitate patients access to doctors are an investment in self-control of chronic diseases in extraordinary circumstances, but also in normal conditions when because of the overscheduled doctors, lack of time for employed patients or other reasons, it is not possible for frequent examinations. Telemedicine is an investment not only in physical health but also in mental health of patients, having a doctor 'just a step from you' has calming and positively affects for patients. And without positive attitude it's hard to keep a chronic disease under control.