Design and implementation of clinical care centres for spondyloarthritis. A benchmark care and disease model in chronic pathologies

Introduction

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a musculoskeletal disease presenting with phenotypic clinical manifestations, integrating a set of interrelated inflammatory conditions, which share immunogenetic, epidemiological, and therapeutic characteristics.

Objective

to do a reflection exercise through the experience of designing and implementing a clinical care center for spondyloarthropathies, from the administrative and clinical perspective to the implications in decision making and impact on the different indicators related to efficiencies and safety of the services included in the model.

Results

In clinical practice, the reality of the care process in patients diagnosed with SpA represents an area of ​​opportunity in multiple aspects. The fragmentation of clinical care and the heterogeneous flow of the patient in the care pathway, are associated with suboptimal and undesired clinical outcomes. Several aspects highlight the reality of patients with SpA in the national scenario, which -to a certain extent- could reflect what is observed in other Latin American countries. SpA represents a very significant burden for society and for individuals affected by this condition. Comprehensive assessment of the burden of disease from the perspective of the clinician and the patient is important, in order to support decisions related to treatment and comprehensive management of this condition. The improvement in health outcomes and the reduction in the cost of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as SpA, are the main advantages of implementing a care model in specialized centres integrating a multidisciplinary team.

Conclusion

This is an opportunity to include the perspective of individuals affected by this condition, seeking integration between an informed patient and a highly qualified multidisciplinary care team in the comprehensive management of patients with SpA.