{"id":9018,"date":"2025-10-22T15:44:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.library.sath.nhs.uk\/research\/?p=9018"},"modified":"2025-10-22T15:44:51","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:44:51","slug":"a-joint-venture-advancing-health-equity-for-underserved-communities-through-integrated-dermatology-rheumatology-clinics-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.library.sath.nhs.uk\/research\/2025\/10\/22\/a-joint-venture-advancing-health-equity-for-underserved-communities-through-integrated-dermatology-rheumatology-clinics-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"A Joint Venture: Advancing Health Equity for Underserved Communities Through Integrated Dermatology-Rheumatology Clinics (2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Type of publication:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journal article<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author(s):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Canteenwala, Zal; Thevathasan, Joseph; Baho, Heli George; Amin, Kunal; *Jain, Dimple; Amarasena, Roshan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cureus 17(10): e94590. doi:10.7759\/cureus.94590<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background
Patients with immune-mediated disease often need both dermatology and rheumatology input. Separate appointments can increase travel and delay decisions, particularly in rural settings. We evaluated a monthly combined clinic in a rural UK catchment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Methods
We conducted a prospective service evaluation (April-October 2022) of a consultant-led, co-located dermatology-rheumatology clinic. Forty-nine consecutive adult attendees completed an anonymous post-visit questionnaire on perceived usefulness, satisfaction, avoided appointments, travel costs, and prior time off work; free-text responses were thematically analysed by two reviewers. We report proportions with exact Clopper-Pearson 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with denominators varying due to item non-response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Results
We analysed 49 questionnaires. All respondents viewed the joint appointment as a good idea (49\/49; 100.0%; 95% CI 92.7-100.0), and all were satisfied (47\/47; 100.0%; 95% CI 92.5-100.0). The clinic avoided an additional appointment for 44\/46 (95.7%; 95% CI 85.2-99.5) and reduced out-of-pocket travel costs for 39\/40 (97.5%; 95% CI 86.8-99.9). Among employed respondents, 19\/36 (52.8%; 95% CI 35.5-69.6) reported previously needing time off work for separate specialty visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusions
In a rural, cross-trust NHS setting, a combined dermatology-rheumatology clinic was feasible and associated with high patient-reported usefulness and satisfaction, fewer duplicate visits, and lower travel costs. Findings support continued provision and motivate comparative and economic evaluations using routine utilisation and cost data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DOI: <\/strong>10.7759\/cureus.94590<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Link to full-text<\/a> [open access - no password required]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Type of publication: Journal article Author(s): *Canteenwala, Zal; Thevathasan, Joseph; Baho, Heli George; Amin, Kunal; *Jain, Dimple; Amarasena, Roshan Citation: Cureus 17(10): e94590. doi:10.7759\/cureus.94590 Abstract: BackgroundPatients with immune-mediated disease often need both dermatology and rheumatology input. Separate appointments can increase…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more A Joint Venture: Advancing Health Equity for Underserved Communities Through Integrated Dermatology-Rheumatology Clinics (2025)<\/span> ›<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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