🤝 Multidisciplinary Care Program for Patients with Inflammatory Arthritis
Chronic inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, can affect more than the joints and musculoskeletal system. Depending on the individual patient, these conditions may also affect physical function, fitness, weight, sleep, psychological well-being, ability to work, and overall quality of life.
Achieving the best possible treatment outcome therefore does not depend on medication alone. Some patients may benefit from addressing other aspects of their health alongside medical treatment.
The Multidisciplinary Care Program for Patients with Inflammatory Arthritis at Dr. Hatem Eleishi Rheumatology Center brings together a range of services that may be needed as part of the patient's care.
This does not mean that every patient needs all of these services. The rheumatologist remains responsible for assessing the patient's condition and developing the treatment plan, and may recommend additional services when they are likely to provide meaningful benefit.
Some patients may need only rheumatology follow-up and medical treatment, while others may benefit from physical therapy, nutritional support, psychological support, or other services.
The program is therefore not a fixed package of services. It is a multidisciplinary care system in which additional services are used when appropriate, according to the individual patient's needs and the rheumatologist's recommendation.
1. Rheumatology Assessment, Follow-up, and Control of Disease Activity
Medical treatment and follow-up with the rheumatologist remain the cornerstone of the program.
Follow-up aims to:
• Confirm the diagnosis and assess disease activity.
• Determine the most appropriate medication plan for each patient.
• Monitor treatment response and possible side effects.
• Adjust treatment when necessary to achieve the best possible control of inflammatory arthritis.
• Distinguish pain caused by active inflammation from other causes of pain that may persist even when inflammation is well controlled.
This follows a treat-to-target approach, in which a clear treatment goal is established and the patient is monitored regularly, with treatment adjusted when necessary to achieve and maintain that goal whenever possible.
2. Physical Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise
Some patients with inflammatory arthritis may benefit from physical therapy or an individualized therapeutic exercise program to help with:
• Maintaining joint mobility.
• Improving muscle strength and physical fitness.
• Managing stiffness and muscle weakness.
• Improving the ability to perform daily activities.
• Managing associated muscular or mechanical pain.
Physical therapy at Dr. Hatem Eleishi Rheumatology Center is tailored to each patient's condition rather than following a standard program for everyone. Sessions last approximately one hour. Separate sections for men and women are available, with male and female physical therapists.
3. Nutrition and Weight Management
Nutrition does not replace medical treatment for inflammatory arthritis, and no specific diet has been proven to cure these conditions. However, healthy nutrition and weight management can be an important components of comprehensive care, particularly for patients with excess weight, cardiovascular risk factors, or specific nutritional needs.
Consultation with a dietitian may include:
• Developing a healthy, practical eating plan that suits the patient's needs and can be maintained over the long term.
• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Addressing nutritional issues related to the patient's condition or medications.
The aim is to integrate healthy nutrition into the overall treatment plan without making unsupported claims that particular foods or diets can cure inflammatory arthritis or replace medical treatment.
4. Psychological Support, Counseling, and Psychiatric Care
Living with a chronic disease, persistent pain, and limitations in daily life can affect psychological well-being. Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and psychological stress may, in turn, influence pain perception, adherence to treatment, and quality of life.
When appropriate, multidisciplinary care may include:
• Psychological support or psychotherapy.
• Help with disease-related anxiety.
• Strategies for coping with chronic pain and stress.
• Developing better coping skills for living with a chronic disease.
• Assessment and management of depression, anxiety, or sleep problems when indicated.
• Psychiatric consultation when medical assessment or medication is required.
Consultations may be available in person at the center or remotely, depending on the service and the patient's needs.
5. Group Therapy and Psychological Support
Living with chronic inflammatory arthritis may create psychological and social challenges that cannot always be addressed through medical treatment alone.
Professionally facilitated group therapy sessions provide patients with an opportunity to discuss the challenges they face, benefit from interaction and shared experiences with others, and develop better ways of coping with pain, fatigue, psychological stress, and the effects of chronic disease on daily life, relationships, and work.
When appropriate, sessions may also include educational elements that help patients better understand their condition and manage life with a chronic disease.
6. Coordination of Care with Other Medical Specialties
Inflammatory arthritis sometimes needs to be managed in the context of other health conditions.
When evaluation by another medical specialty is needed, care can be coordinated with the appropriate specialist, such as an ophthalmologist, hepatologist, or another relevant specialist, according to the individual patient's needs.
The aim is not to refer every patient to multiple specialists, but to involve another specialty only when there is a genuine clinical need as part of the patient's overall care plan.
7. Transportation Service
Patients who have difficulty with transportation or mobility may inquire about the transportation service between their home and Dr. Hatem Eleishi Rheumatology Center.
The service is intended to make attending the center easier, particularly for patients who have mobility difficulties or need to receive more than one service at the center.
Availability and cost can be discussed when arranging the service.
How Does the Program Work?
The program does not mean that every patient needs all of the services described above. Care begins with assessment of the patient's condition and individual needs. The rheumatologist can then recommend any additional services that may add meaningful value to the treatment plan. One patient may need only rheumatology follow-up and medical treatment, while another may benefit from adding physical therapy, nutritional support, psychological support, or another service. The aim is to build care around the individual patient's needs rather than place every patient into a fixed package of services.
If you think that some aspects of multidisciplinary care may be relevant to your condition, discuss this with Dr. Hatem Eleishi in your visit to the clinic.