From Summit to Standards to “Arthritis 101”

A mere 10 months ago, Ottawa was a hotbed of arthritis activity. Under the banner, Rock This Joint, three major arthritis conferences were held: the International Bone and Joint Conference, the Canadian Arthritis Network Annual Scientific Conference, and the Summit on Standards for Arthritis Prevention and Care. The Summit was attended by all arthritis stakeholder groups, including researchers, clinicians, NGOs, Health Canada, The Canadian Institute of Health Research Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, government officials, industry representatives – and patients. For two days participants wrestled with the needs of people with arthritis and how care can best be provided. They dealt with the realities of the more than 100 types of arthritis and the necessity of evidence-based health care. They engaged in working groups to examine arthritis prevention, including physical activity and injury prevention. They looked at arthritis management and models of care, including access to diagnosis, access to medications, access to surgery, and manpower. Awareness was a big issue that included participation, general public and consumer specific awareness, and health professional education. The first ever Canadian Standards for Arthritis Prevention and Care developed from these lively sessions. The Alliance for the Canadian Arthritis Plan (ACAP), a group of over 20 leading arthritis community stakeholders, hosted the Summit and launched the Standards in April of 2006. Of the twelve Standards of Arthritis Prevention and Care, three have been selected for priority action in 2006-2007:

• Every Canadian must be aware of arthritis.
• All relevant health professionals must be able to perform a valid, standardized, age appropriate musculoskeletal screening assessment.
• Every Canadian with arthritis must have timely and equal access to appropriate medications.

Just six months after the launch of the Standards, the ACAP is hosting research-based information workshops and screening clinics for government officials in Ottawa and provinces across Canada.
Entitled “Arthritis 101”, this workshop is designed to build much needed arthritis awareness among our elected officials. Because government is responsible for the development of arthritis health policy and for funding arthritis prevention and care for 4 million Canadians, it’s critical that federal and provincial officials be knowledgeable about arthritis and its effects. By bringing its collective expertise and leadership together, the ACAP and “Arthritis 101” will provide research-based information workshops on:

• The latest advances in arthritis research in Canada
• Arthritis prevention strategies, including appropriate arthritis screening
• Public education programs
• New arthritis care models in health care system reform
  Following the workshop, a team of arthritis specialists will conduct a free arthritis-screening clinic in provincial legislatures to illustrate first hand how effective and efficient arthritis detection for degenerative and inflammatory arthritis can be. National and regional media will be invited to attend both portions of the event.

“Arthritis 101” was first held last year in BC and was considered a great success, and the screening session identified five suspected cases of inflammatory arthritis. For “Arthritis 101” to be equally successful this year as it is presented across Canada, every MP and MLA needs to know that their constituents think arthritis is important. They need to understand they should accept the invitation to attend “Arthritis 101”. Delivering that message will require some letter writing, faxing, e-mailing, calling and strolling into constituency offices by people living with arthritis. Who better to carry the message than CAPA members? If you would like to help ensure “Arthritis 101” is a success, the ACAP Government Relations Team Leaders in your province can provide you with assistance and information. As many CAPA members are already involved, the easiest way to reach the GR Team Leaders is to respond to this CAPA address editor@capa.ca and we'll pass the word along. Please remember to provide your city and province! Together we really do make a difference!

For more information on ACAP and the Standards for Arthritis Prevention and Care: http://www.arthritisalliance.ca/