Online clinic for arthritis patients launched in Fife

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 21:09

PATIENTS with arthritis will be able to monitor their disease online as part of a pilot project launched today.

The Fife Rheumatic Disease Unit at Kirkcaldy's Whyteman's Brae Hospital is running Scotland's first online rheumatology clinic in an effort to change the way patients are managed.

The Clinic for Arthritis Patients in Remission on the Internet (Capri) allows local patients whose rheumatoid arthritis is under control to assess their disease regularly via a tutorial and questionnaire.

The rheumatologist will receive regular reports of patient entries and if the disease becomes more active, patients will receive an automatic e-mail notification and an out-patient appointment will be arranged.

The project aims to benefit both clinicians and patients, by reducing the number visits to the clinic. This is especially important for patients who have reduced mobility, transport difficulties or family commitments.

The online clinic will also free up time and resources at the Fife rheumatic disease unit.