[Quality of a multidisciplinary orthopaedic-rheumatological consultation].
OBJECTIVE
An interdisciplinary approach plays an important role in orthopaedic rheumatology. The aim of this study was to test the quality of an interdisciplinary consultation, which analyzed a pool of orthopaedic patients in terms of rheumatological disease.


METHODS
Orthopaedic patients (n=100) were transferred to a multidisciplinary team of experts in a two-stage selection process. Patient data were examined with regard to diagnosis and therapy. A patient interview analyzed the course of disease and effects of the consultation. Patients were questioned on the development of pain, diagnostics and therapy as well as their general satisfaction.


RESULTS
Rheumatological disease was diagnosed in 42% of patients, while specific anti-rheumatic therapy was started in 41%. An improvement in symptoms as a result of treatment was seen in 63% of cases. Patient examinations revealed an above-average level of satisfaction in 63% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Interdisciplinary consultation led to improved and faster diagnosis and therapy of rheumatological diseases, which was positively evaluated by the pool of patients treated.
Mayer-Wagner
S
S
Orthopädische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Deutschland. susanne.mayer@med.uni-muenchen.de
Wiendl
F
F
Schewe
S
S
Grünke
M
M
Schulze-Koops
H
H
Delhey
P
P
Holzapfel
B M
BM
Jansson
V
V
Hausdorf
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000592:standards*; D015995:Prevalence; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult