The clinical management of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: strategies for improving clinical effectiveness.

Ideally clinical practice is evidence-based and patient centred. This report focuses on the major chronic arthropathies seen in primary care practice, namely RA and OA. It was facilitated by the Department of Health as part of its clinical effectiveness programme to improve clinical practice, and is based on discussion at a multidisciplinary workshop. The report reviews evidence-based and effective clinical management for RA and OA, identifies the current gaps between Best Practice and Routine Care and makes recommendations for ways to bridge these gaps. It is hoped that the report will encourage both primary care teams and hospital specialists to improve the quality of the service they provide to patients with RA and OA, and to facilitate greater involvement of patients in all aspects of arthritis care.