Lupus patients often have multiple comorbidities, which can be related to the kidneys and skin. To address the needs of this patient population, this July The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus will open its second multi-disciplinary lupus clinic.
The university opened its first clinic, The Ohio State Lupus Clinic, which has rheumatologists and nephrologists in house, in 2010. In 2016, the clinic saw 3,400 patients—including 400 new patients—some of who came from outside of the U.S. This new clinic expands this multi-disciplinary approach and will be staffed with rheumatologists, nephrologists and dermatologists.
Physicians can also fast track local referrals, enabling patients to access broader multi-disciplinary care, as well as a wide range of clinical trials, without treatment delays. For patients at a distance, the clinical team closely coordinates with their local rheumatologist or nephrologist to enable access to the university’s innovative care opportunities and, sometimes, those at other more convenient institutions. The Ohio State University’s kidney pathology laboratory works with nephrologists nationwide to provide multi-disciplinary nephro-pathology laboratory results and extends the opportunity to have academic discussions about treatment options.
Wael Jarjour, MD, FACP
The clinic also has the ability to perform health outcomes, as well as basic and translational research. By collecting data via questionnaires, patients and the research team can track self-reported and physician-measured outcomes. Clinical coordinators can match patients’ needs with available clinical trials. A current study involves researching lupus biomarkers.
“We are doing basic research to develop laboratory tests that can help guide physicians’ decisions regarding whether someone is at risk of developing lupus nephritis or having a flare up,” Dr. Jarjour says.
Additional ongoing studies include health literacy and numeracy, and sex bias in autoimmunity—particularly in lupus.
How Patients Benefit
From a patient’s perspective, Dr. Jarjour believes patients appreciate that their physicians collaborate in real time. With advanced scheduling, existing patients may see more than one specialist on the same day. And new patients may also have this opportunity.
“Although we don’t have appointment times set aside for this [advanced scheduling], none of my colleagues have ever turned down a request to see a new patient at the end of their scheduled appointments. Nor have I denied any of their scheduling requests,” he says.
The clinic is a one-stop center for lupus patients, equipped to perform laboratory and cardiology testing and imaging services. Physical therapy and occupational therapy services are also on site. Dr. Jarjour says, “Most diagnostics for a lupus patient can be done at our clinic.”
Additionally, the clinic is exploring how technology can transform inner waiting rooms into interactive areas equipped with iPads, giving patients the opportunity to learn about their conditions, clinical trials and new medications. This innovative design will empower patients to take an active role in their care and work in partnership with their providers, which has been demonstrated to improve outcomes for rheumatology and nephrology patients.1
Final Thoughts
“There are many lupus clinics across the country, but having several specialties caring for patients together in the same space isn’t a frequent occurrence,” Dr. Jarjour concludes. “However, I am seeing growth in this trend nationwide, which is good, because having a team of physicians at one facility address all of a patient’s issues is the best way to deliver optimal care.”
Karen Appold is a medical writer in Pennsylvania.
Reference
- Patel V, Hale TM, Palakodeti S, et al. Prescription tablets in the digital age: a cross-sectional study exploring patient and physician attitudes toward the use of tablets for clinic-based personalized health care information exchange. JMIR Res Protoc. 2015 Oct 19;4(4):e116. doi: 10.2196/resprot.3806.
