Physician Use of the RAPID3 to Guide Rheumatology Follow-Up: A Retrospective Examination

Author

Karen HowardFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-6-2022

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Annie Imboden DNP, APN, CPNP

Project Team Faculty Member

Ann Popkess PhD, MSN, BSN

Keywords

rheumatology, RAPID3, Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3, follow- up, follow-up appointment interval, treat-to-target, disease activity assessment tool

Abstract

Abstract

The Quality Improvement Team of a rheumatology clinic was seeking ways to deal with the long intervals for an available follow-up appointment. The use of standardized disease activity assessment tools as a part of patient care is an evidence-based practice that is not employed by over one third of rheumatologists. One of the many uses of these tools is to guide treat-to- target care. Treat-to-target care uses the disease assessment tool score to guide treatment decisions and follow up interval. This project examined the use of a standardized disease assessment tool, the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3), as recommended by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) to guide follow-up interval. In this retrospective study the data from one physician’s use of the RAPID3 was analyzed to determine how closely follow-up appointments adhered to the ACR recommendations for the RAPID3 score of 30 new patients. Results demonstrated that provider knowledge of the RAPID3 score alone is not sufficient to ensure use of the evidence-based practice of basing follow-up on RAPID3 scores. Outcomes of this project include a recommendation for implementation of a follow-up protocol for the rheumatology clinic based on the RAPID3 score, facilitation of RAPID3 use though a method for electronic completion of the RAPID3 by rheumatology patients before each appointment, and an educational presentation for providers on the validity and ease of the RAPID3 tool to encourage use of the score once obtained.

Recommended Citation

Howard, Karen, "Physician Use of the RAPID3 to Guide Rheumatology Follow-Up: A Retrospective Examination" (2022). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 198.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/198

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