A questionnaire survey of patient experience with the Rheumatology Monitoring Clinic in Singapore

Aim The concept of a pharmacist/advanced practice nurse (APN)-led Rheumatology Monitoring Clinic (RMC) is a novel service in Singapore; we therefore conducted a questionnaire survey of patient experience. Methods Patients attending the RMC were provided with a set of questionnaires. As a substudy, a separate questionnaire was given to the rheumatologists and therapists conducting the RMC. Results Of the 105 patients surveyed, a total of 97 (92.4%) patients were satisfied/strongly satisfied with the overall service, and none were dissatisfied; 96% felt that the pharmacists/APNs provided clear, detailed information about their disease and medication, while 92% of patients were confident they knew what side-effects were possible. Ninety-two percent and 93% of patients were more likely to adhere to treatment, and were willing to come back for follow-up at the RMC, respectively. There was no difference in patient satisfaction in the average Likert summed scores, between the pharmacists and APNs. Age, gender, ethnicity and underlying disease did not exert any influence on the responses. All the rheumatologists surveyed were satisfied with the patients' management and the professionalism of the therapists. They opined that the RMC freed up time for them to see more complex cases. All the pharmacists/APNs concurred that the referrals were appropriately selected. Conclusions We established the acceptability of a non-physician-led clinic in our local setting and highlighted the usefulness of having a routine clinic for monitoring medication toxicity and patient education. The RMC received positive feedback from patients, rheumatologists and allied health therapists, with a high degree of satisfaction among the respondents.