Transformation Directorate

Rheumatology digital playbook

How to use digital ways of working to improve outcomes for patients

This resource provides support to clinical teams and organisations that are looking for digital tools that support the delivery of patient pathways. We concentrate on rheumatology services and how to deliver monitoring and support to patients. We welcome feedback on the playbooks, including ideas for further case studies. To get in touch, please email digital.playbooks@nhs.net

Scenarios

Promoting good health and wellbeing

Digital solutions to support people to maintain and improve their own health, wellbeing and physical activity

Primary and community triage and consultation

Digital solutions to enable quick access to advice and guidance and to support decision making around patient care

Primary and community long-term condition management

Digital solutions to support healthcare professionals who manage patients in primary care and the community

Diagnostics

Using technology to virtually order, share and manage clinical investigation data and images

Secondary care

Digital solutions to support the patient journey through secondary care

Remote monitoring

Technology to monitor patients' conditions and analyse data like patient reported outcome measures to support patients in the community

Pathway


Rheumatology pathway

Explore case studies at different steps along the rheumatology pathway

Case studies

Scientist in a suit analysing a sample of blood

Supporting primary care to interpret antibody tests and refer patients

Using digital prompts to aid decision-making and enable quicker diagnosis and treatment.
Doctor wearing a white coat and stethoscope around their neck looking at a laptop screen

Remote clinical management as part of standard care for rheumatology patients

A digital system to remotely manage clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A doctor wearing a white coat waving at a patient on a video call using a laptop

Using a national electronic platform to collect patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)

A digital platform to support staff to complete PROMs for remote monitoring.
Person sat in a chair holding their smartphone in one hand and tapping the screen

Integrating electronic patient-reported health data into electronic patient records (EPR) in paediatric rheumatology clinics

A digital solution to enable patients or parents to complete a childhood health assessment questionnaire (CHAQ) before attending clinic.
A close up of a finger with a drop of blood after a pin-prick test

Using remote blood monitoring to promote safety for patients on disease-modifying drugs

A system for monitoring the blood of patients on disease-modifying drugs.
5 people looking at a handheld digital device

Collecting data through the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA) website

Collecting data to improve the quality of care for people living with inflammatory arthritis.
Person pressing the fleshy space between thumb and index finger with other thumb

A training video to help people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to examine themselves for tender and swollen joints

A video for patients showing them how to examine themselves for tender and swollen joints in rheumatoid arthritis.
Musculoskeletal first contact practitioner services in primary care

Using an app to remotely monitor rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Remote monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis to keep track of patients’ daily symptoms.
Person leaning over due to back pain using a chair for support

Providing a virtual multidisciplinary service

Using technology for a joined up and multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management of patients with complex, chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy monitoring and evaluation of patient progress as part of standard clinical care in rheumatology patients

Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy monitoring and evaluation of patient progress as part of standard clinical care in rheumatology patients

Automating the assessment of drug toxicity and benefit from starting patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy
None

Using electronic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to improve patient outcomes

A new platform so patients can complete PROMS before attending the rheumatology clinic.
2 people at home stretching on an exercise mat

A programme for patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions who want more movement in their lives

Using tailored virtual sessions to help people living with arthritis and MSK conditions become more active.
Establishing a hybrid remote clinic for patients on biological and targeted synthetic DMARDs in Rheumatology

Establishing a hybrid remote clinic for patients on biological and targeted synthetic DMARDs in Rheumatology

A novel remote therapy clinic (RTC) using electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROMS) to monitor patients

Disclaimer

These case studies summarise user and patient experiences, focussing on:

  • digital solutions along different care pathways
  • productivity improving digital solutions
  • how to open source code for health and care organisations

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the apps and digital tools referenced are not supplied, distributed or endorsed by NHS England or the Department of Health and Social Care and such parties are not liable for any injury, loss or damage arising from their use.

All playbook case studies have either passed, or are currently undergoing the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) assessment.

Please note the full legal disclaimer: NHS Transformation Directorate playbook disclaimer