Combined Care of the Rheumatic Patient

1 The Spectrum of Rheumatic Diseases.- Introduction; Non-articular Rheumatism; Spinal Disorders; Osteoarthrosis; Crystal Deposition Diseases; Degenerative vs Inflammatory Joint Disease; Seronegative Spondarthritides; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Connective Tissue Disorders; Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Temporal Arteritis; Septic Arthritis; Rarer Arthritic Conditions.- 2 Investigations for Rheumatic Diseases.- Introduction; Routine Haematological Investigations; Routine Biochemical Investigations; Immunological Assessment of Rheumatic Disease Activity; Examination of Synovial Fluid; Biochemical Assessment of Rheumatic Disease Activity; Detection of Infection; Radiology; Bone Biopsy; Investigation of Muscle Disorders; Nerve Conduction Studies; Tissue Biopsy; Arthroscopy; Study of White Cell Blood Groups in Rheumatic Diseases; Evaluation of Faecal Blood Loss; Use of Radioisotopes in Rheumatology; Thermography; Research Investigation on Urine.- 3 Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases.- Introduction; Plan of Patient Care; Analgesics; Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents; Disease-Modifying Agents for Rheumatoid Arthritis; Immunoactive Drugs in Rheumatic Diseases; Management of Seronegative Spondarthritides; Management of Connective Tissue Disorders; Management of Ankylosing Spondylitis; Osteoarthrosis and Crystal Deposition Disease; Arthritis in Childhood; Patient Compliance.- 4 The Nursing Process and Rheumatology Nursing.- Introduction; The Nursing Process: Other Methods of Staff Deployment; Rheumatology Nursing: Acute Flare; Rehabilitation; Diagnosis; Social Admission; Planning Patient Care by Use of the Nursing Process; Nursing Aspects of Investigative Procedures.- 5 Surgical Nursing.- Introduction; Surgical Procedures; Nursing Management; Conclusions.- 6 Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy in the Management of Rheumatic Diseases.- Introduction; Physiotherapy; Occupational Therapy; Aids to Mobility; Splints and Splinting; Feet and Footwear.- 7 Patient Education.- Introduction; Outpatient Education; Outpatient Group Sessions; Inpatient Education; Self-medication in the Hospital Setting.- 8 Clinical Assessments in Rheumatology.- Introduction; Measurement of Vital Functions in Rheumatology; Subjective Evaluation of Pain and Stiffness; Objective Assessments in Inflammatory Polyarthritis; Functional Assessments; Monitoring of Side-effects; Monitoring of Laboratory Changes; Radiological Assessment; Miscellaneous Clinical Assessments; Measurement of Joint Movement; Sophisticated Objective Assessments of Joint Function.- 9 Psychological Aspects.- Introduction; Reactions of Patients to their Disease; Problems Arising from Physical Disability; How Patients Cope; Conclusion.- 10 Organisation and Development of Combined Care in the Outpatient Clinic.- Introduction; Combined Care in the Outpatient Clinic - the Physician's View; Combined Care in the Outpatient Clinic - the Nurse's View.- 11 Combined Care in the Community.- Introduction; Primary Health Care Team; General Practitioner; District Nurse; Health Visitor; Social Worker; Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist; Disablement Resettlement Officer; Sexual Difficulties; Social Services Department; Mobility and Independence; Communication; Conclusion.- 12 Clinical Research and Trial Methodology.- Introduction; General Aspects of Research; Planning the Study - Questions to be Asked; Statistical Aspects; The Protocol; Conduct of a Clinical Trial or Research Project; Funding of Research; Dissemination of Results.- Appendix A. Normal Laboratory Values and Indicators of Inflammation.- Appendix B.Appointment of Clinical Metrologist - Clinical Pharmacology Unit (Rheumatism Research), University of Leeds.- Appendix C. Advisory Services and Sources of Information.