There are a range of healthcare professionals who may be involved in helping you manage your arthritis. You and your GP will likely form the core of this team, and the GP will help you connect with other medical and allied health professionals if/as you require them
Medical Healthcare Team:
General practitioner (GP or local doctor)
Your GP is usually your main provider of health care. He or she should be your first point of contact for any concerns you have about your arthritis or other health issues. Your GP can help you coordinate your overall health care, including making referrals to specialists if needed.
Your GP should create a tailored management plan (GPMP) and team care arrangement (TCA) for you. This includes subsidised care from a team of healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, dietitians, and others.
Practice Nurse: Your GP may also have a practice nurse. A practice nurse can provide information and coordinate your care with the other members of your healthcare team.
Medical specialists:
Your GP can refer you to an appropriate specialist. Your GP may recommend a specialist (e.g. Rheumatologist or Orthopaedic Surgeon) for you, or you may wish to choose your own. Most specialists see patients either at public hospitals or in private clinics. They may charge a fee for your appointment if working outside the public hospital system. This fee may be partly or mostly reimbursed through Medicare. Check the likely costs when making an appointment. If cost is a problem, discuss this with your GP.
Rheumatologist: A rheumatologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosis and medical treatment of joint, muscle and bone disorders. You may be referred to a rheumatologist if the cause of your symptoms is unclear or if you have a type of arthritis that needs specialist care. For more information, including how to find a rheumatologist, contact the Australian
For more information, including how to find a rheumatologist, contact the Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) on (02) 9252 2356 or visit www.rheumatology.org.au
Orthopaedic surgeon: An orthopaedic surgeon specialises in diagnosis and surgical treatment of bone, muscle and joint disorders. The surgeon will discuss your need for surgery and other management options with you.
For more information about orthopaedic surgeons and how to find one contact the Australian Orthopaedic Association on (02) 8071 8000 or visit www.aoa.org.au
Rheumatology Nurses: are nurses with specialist knowledge in arthritis. They can provide you with education, support, and advice on your diagnosis and ongoing management of your disease. For more information, please ask your rheumatologist.
Allied health professionals
You and your GP may incorporate a range of allied health professionals into your healthcare team to help you better manage your condition and improve your health.
This may include:
Dietitians: are experts in food and nutrition. They provide advice about healthy eating, weight loss and diets for medical conditions, such as diabetes.
To find a dietician contact Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) on 1800 812 942 or use the ‘find a dietitian’ service at www.daa.asn.au
Accredited Exercise physiologists (AEP): can give you advice about exercise, including the best types of exercise for your condition, health, and ability. They can help you with assessing your current fitness levels and developing an appropriate plan to get you moving more and staying active.
To find an exercise physiologist contact Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) on (07) 3171 3335 or use the ‘find an exercise physiologist’ feature at www.essa.org.au
Physiotherapists: can advise you on exercise, posture and ways to relieve pain. They may also use treatments to keep your joints and muscles flexible.
To find a physiotherapist contact the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) on 1300 306 622 or use the ‘find a physio’ feature at www.physiotherapy.asn.au.
Occupational therapists (OT): can show you ways to make activities of daily living, such as cooking and showering, easier and provide advice on useful aids or equipment. They can also support you in modifications of your activities (including home or task modifications).
To find an OT contact Occupational Therapy Australia on 1300 682 878 or use the ‘find an OT’ feature at www.otaus.com.au
- Pharmacists: can help you to understand your medicines (both prescription and over-the-counter medicines) and how to use them safely and correctly. When starting a medication, it is important to talk to your Specialist, GP, or Pharmacists about its proper use (e.g. dosage, timing, storage, etc.), and what to do in the case of side effects. You should also discuss with your healthcare professional before stopping any prescribed medication.
There is a lot of information on medications and their safe usage on the NPS MedicineWise Website (https://www.nps.org.au/) and/or you can download the App (Apple or Google)
Podiatrists: specialise in conditions affecting the feet. They can help you with footwear, nail care and orthoses (shoe inserts).
To find a podiatrist contact the Australasian Podiatry Council on (03) 9416 3111 or use the ‘find a podiatrist’ feature at www.apodc.com.au
Psychologists: can teach you ways to cope with any pain and difficult emotions you feel because of your arthritis. They can help you develop strategies and ways of processing your feelings and building resilience.
To find a psychologist contact the Australian Psychological Society on 1800 333 497 or visit www.psychology.org.au
Get the most out of your consultations:
To maximise the value of your time with a healthcare professional, it may be helpful to do some of the following
- Think about, and write down, the questions you want to ask before your visit
- Always take images (e.g. x-rays) and test results related to your condition to the consultation (or can you email them before your consultation)
- Consider taking a family member or friend with you so you have a second set of ears
- Ask your medical or allied health professional to explain information again or differently if you feel you don’t quite understand
- Always feel comfortable asking questions, especially about the benefits, side effects, and/or costs associated with treatments
- Write down important information or instructions you are given (or get the healthcare professional to write down or send you important information)
- Have the healthcare professional refer you to appropriate (e.g. good quality) points of further information (e.g. where you can learn more about your condition or treatment recommendation)
- It is okay to seek a second opinion when you feel uncertain about a diagnosis or treatment recommendation.
It is important that you feel like you have been given and understand all the information you need to make informed decisions about your healthcare. Creating an active, constructive and transparent relationship with members of your healthcare team ensures that you can effectively work together to achieve the best outcomes for your health.