Occupational Therapy Can Benefit Rheumatology Patients

To some extent, occupational therapists are seeing fewer patients from rheumatology because of the effectiveness of biologics, Indalecio says.

However, OT is still relied on for patients who are just starting biologics or those who are looking for an alternative to medication, Tieng says.

It can be difficult to treat patients who are not motivated to participate in their own care, McCabe says. “Some people with chronic pain have concomitant depression that makes it harder for them to see a light at the end of the tunnel,” she says.

Therapists often have to temper patient expectations of what they will be able to do once OT ends, keeping in mind the limitations that come with their condition, says Indalecio.

A therapist giving muscle training for the elbow joint.

Tips for Better Collaboration, Communication

In today’s hectic medical environment, rheumatologists and occupational therapists may not have much time, if any, to compare notes—but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t make the effort. Here are some ways that therapists say rheumatologists could work more collaboratively with them and maximize patient care.

1. Pick up the phone. Or at least, send a quick note to check in on a patient’s progress or comment on how OT has helped. “It’s nice to have a doctor who is approachable in terms of taking phone calls to discuss a patient or at least is responsive to questions left by messages,” McCabe says. “Everyone is busy, but we all benefit from some human interaction and collaboration.”
   “Occupational therapists can share vital information with the rheumatologist about patients’ understanding of their condition, adherence and response to treatment,” says Efthimiou.
2. Be as specific as possible in your order for therapy. If you have a specific goal in mind, write it down so the therapist knows. By providing as much information as you can, the occupational therapist can better perform his or her job.
3. Encourage patients. “Sometimes, doctors tell patients there’s nothing that can be done to help them, and that’s untrue and sends the wrong message,” Dodge says. Occupational therapists want patients to use their medications as needed but also explore joint protection for better outcomes overall.
4. Consider referring patients to hand surgeons when appropriate. Although it may be natural to feel territorial, Indalecio finds that a consult with a hand surgeon in addition to rheumatologic care can benefit a number of patients with hand issues.
5. Take advantage of professional development related to OT. The ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting includes sessions geared toward OT, but that are also relevant and educational for rheumatologists, says Dodge. These sessions are held in the same place as ACR sessions, so they are easy to attend, says Dodge, who has been involved with session planning.

Rheumatologists have some words of wisdom for occupational therapists as well. They also want to see better communication across the professional fence. “You can’t have too much communication,” Dr. Fields says. “Therapists should be encouraged to call with a new idea or thoughts on how often the patient should be seen.”