OP0098-PARE RE-EVALUATING THE REACH AND IMPACT OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH RMDS POST COVID-THE CASE OF ARTHRITIS IRELAND
Authors: G. O Leary
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Arthritis Ireland aims to ensure that every person living with arthritis in Ireland is supported to live a full and active life and have access to appropriate health services and treatments. Arthritis Ireland (AI) developed its strategic plan in 2019[1] and identified a list of strategic priorities to provide services to those living with arthritis. On an ongoing basis, AI has been focused on identifying how the organisation can maximise its reach and impact for those living with arthritis. In 2022, in the aftermath of Covid-19, Arthritis Ireland conducted a far-reaching review of its services. This was conduced against the backdrop of the changes that had resulted from the pandemic and the need to more closely align with the Irish Model of Care for Rheumatology that identified AI as a key service provider for the delivery of self-management programmes for people living with arthritis. <h3>Objectives:</h3> The key objectives of this review were: To review the organisation's services delivery, reach and impact. To develop recommendations for future service delivery. <h3>Methods:</h3> AI appointed an external consultant and the review was conducted from September to November 2022. A steering group was established to oversee the consultation process. The steering group met before and after each workshop to advise on stakeholder engagement and to discuss issues that were identified throughout the process. A virtual workshop took place to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing Arthritis Ireland in delivering services across the country. A survey was circulated within the organisation's closed Facebook forum. A virtual workshop was held with the steering group and AI staff to develop a service delivery model. Internal documents and data were reviewed throughout the process. <h3>Results:</h3> The process, review and analysis of the feedback resulted in a key set of recommendations for the organisation's service delivery going forward as follows: 1.Implement the model of services delivery as designed through the services review process. 2.Conduct an organisational review to ensure the structure is suitable and adequately resourced to maximise the reach and impact through the model of services delivery. 3.Re-structure staff roles to ensure greater reach nationally. 4.Pursue strategic discussions to secure core funding for the roll out of the Model of Care for Rheumatology. 5.Direct all new referrals through the clinical referral programme via the Helpline. 6.Remove branch network structure and change to volunteer facilitated services delivery, supported by Arthritis Ireland staff. 7.Invest in new roles for services delivery whilst securing core funding. 8.Develop an "Arthritis Ireland Road Show" to target key national events throughout the country. 9.Develop the organisation's reach across all social media platforms and keep website updated. 10.Engage with community networks and Social Prescribers to develop a referral pathway into all programmes. 11.Capture outcomes through questionnaires and 6-month post programme evaluation of all programmes. 12.Develop a system of cost-benefit analysis to ensure that each element of service delivery can at minimum identify cost per person of each element. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> AI has the potential to reach a significant number of people living with arthritis by continuing to use the wide range of excellent evidence-based services that already exist and the better use of volunteers. Resources will have a wider impact by rolling out this recommended model of service delivery. The commitment of members of the branch network should be harnessed through their transfer to volunteers of AI without the burden of the responsibility of the committee model. In addition, the opportunity to roll out services by aligning the organisation's mindset to the Model of Care for Rheumatology will pay dividends in terms of reach and resources. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] https://www.arthritisireland.ie/strategic-plan. [2] model-of-care-for-rheumatology-in-ireland.pdf (hse.ie). <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>