PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe obstacles to optimum management of gout by primary care physicians and to propose educational interventions to improve care. RECENT FINDINGS: In the past, gout education has been hampered by infrequency of continuing medical education courses, loss of excitement for a disease in which therapies have not changed (until recently), insufficient evidence-based medicine, and the lack of motivation by physicians to re-learn this disease once in active practice. We identify 10 common myths that impede appropriate treatment of gout, identify gaps in evidence-based medicine that perpetuate those myths, and propose opportunities to improve education on these myths. It is through better gout-centered education that quality of care in gout can be enhanced. Residency may be one of the key points of intervention. As more evidence-based medicine publications address the optimum management of gout, national re-education can occur. More outreach by community rheumatologists to primary care physicians through educational programs and improved referral letters can help re-educate practitioners. Lastly, an often overlooked engine to change physician practices is consumer education, but current patient education programs are lacking. SUMMARY: Novel education interventions for physician trainees, primary care physicians, and patients are proposed to improve the care of patients with gout.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe obstacles to optimum management of gout by primary care physicians and to propose educational interventions to improve care. RECENT FINDINGS: In the past, gout education has been hampered by infrequency of continuing medical education courses, loss of excitement for a disease in which therapies have not changed (until recently), insufficient evidence-based medicine, and the lack of motivation by physicians to re-learn this disease once in active practice. We identify 10 common myths that impede appropriate treatment of gout, identify gaps in evidence-based medicine that perpetuate those myths, and propose opportunities to improve education on these myths. It is through better gout-centered education that quality of care in gout can be enhanced. Residency may be one of the key points of intervention. As more evidence-based medicine publications address the optimum management of gout, national re-education can occur. More outreach by community rheumatologists to primary care physicians through educational programs and improved referral letters can help re-educate practitioners. Lastly, an often overlooked engine to change physician practices is consumer education, but current patient education programs are lacking. SUMMARY: Novel education interventions for physician trainees, primary care physicians, and patients are proposed to improve the care of patients with gout.
Authors: Theodore R Fields; Adam Rifaat; Arthur M F Yee; Dalit Ashany; Katherine Kim; Matthew Tobin; Nicole Oliva; Kara Fields; Monica Richey; Shanthini Kasturi; Adena Batterman Journal: Semin Arthritis Rheum Date: 2016-10-24 Impact factor: 5.532
Authors: Bart Spaetgens; Tobias Pustjens; Lieke E J M Scheepers; Hein J E M Janssens; Sjef van der Linden; Annelies Boonen Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2016-02-22 Impact factor: 2.980