Podiatry services for patients with arthritis: an unmet need

Rome, K; Chapman, J; Williams, AE; Gow, P; Dalbeth, N

Abstract

Foot problems are extremely common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
There is ample evidence that foot pain, either alone or as a comorbidity, contributes
significantly to disability. Despite the high prevalence of foot disease in RA, this
problem is often trivialised or underappreciated. The inequity in foot health provision
for patients with rheumatic disorders in New Zealand has recently been highlighted.
Expertise in dealing with foot problems is often limited among healthcare
professionals, and it has been argued that better integration of podiatric services into
rheumatology services would be beneficial. The aim of this paper is to highlight the
major issues related to foot care for patients with arthritis and provide key
recommendations that should implemented to improve access to podiatric services in
New Zealand.

Citation

Rome, K., Chapman, J., Williams, A., Gow, P., & Dalbeth, N. (2010). Podiatry services for patients with arthritis: an unmet need. New Zealand Medical Journal, 123(1310), 91-97

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2010
• Deposit Date: Sep 30, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Journal: The New Zealand Medical Journal
• Print ISSN: 0028-8446
• Publisher: New Zealand Medical Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 123
• Issue: 1310
• Pages: 91-97
• Publisher URL: http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/123-1310/4011/