Msk?...Think SpA! Recognition and referral of Spondyloarthritis - Darwin

About this event- Darwin, NT

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of inflammatory conditions that are often mistaken to be musculoskeletal problems, most commonly Axial Spondyloarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Delays in diagnosis average 8-9 years because Spondyloarthritis is often not recognised in assessments. A delay leads to poorer outcomes and worse impacts.

Screening for suspected spondyloarthritis and when to refer to rheumatology is an essential skill in musculoskeletal assessments.

This funded workshop will improve your knowledge and clinical skills in recognition and referral to rheumatology to reduce diagnostic delays.

The workshop will provide you with the clinical knowledge and assessment skills to screen for suspected spondyloarthritis within musculoskeletal assessments, or update your existing skills. It will ensure you know when to refer patients to rheumatology with increased confidence.

The course will include current research, professional resources and support tools for clinical screening and further CPD.

**Note: If workshop is fully subscribed please make contact to express your interest in attending: carol.mccrum@act.gov.au

Learning outcomes

• Develop awareness of the clinical presentations of axial spondyloarthritis and peripheral spondyloarthritis

• Develop knowledge of clinical signs, symptoms and risk factors suspicious of axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis

• Gain knowledge and skills in history taking and clinical examination for axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis, blood tests and imaging to support referral to rheumatology

Who is this course for:

This course is suitable for musculoskeletal clinicians and other registered health professionals including GPs & Sports Medicine physicians assessing and managing spinal, joint and tendon problems, and importantly Clinical Educators involved in teaching musculoskeletal assessments.

Presenter

Dr Carol McCrum completed her physiotherapy studies at University of Sydney and worked in private and public settings, education and clinical research. She was an NHS Consultant Physiotherapist in Musculoskeletal Medicine (2005- 2021) and currently an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist in Rheumatology at Canberra Hospital. Carol completed her doctorate in acute low back pain (2011) and is a Fellow of the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (UK) and Titled MPA member .

Carol is Education co-Lead of the Australian Rheumatology Association RHPSIG and co-Chair of the UK Rheumatology Specialist Physiotherapy Professional Network [see https://rheumatology.csp.org.uk & @RheumPhysioUK]. Carol is co-author of the Rheumatology Physiotherapy Capabilities Framework- and 'Section One: Screening In Msk Settings", which outlines Msk competencies requried to support recognition of suspected rheumatological conditions.

Carol is keen to ensure Rheumatology screening is core musculoskeletal clinical knowledge.

**If the workshop is fully subscribed please contact to express your interest in attending: carol.mccrum@act.gov.au