Nancy Lightfoot, a professor at both NOSM University and Laurentian University’s School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, launched a new qualitative study on rheumatoid arthritis. “We’re talking to people about their experiences with it,” Lightfoot said. “What was the access to care like, what types of drugs are they taking and their experiences interacting with family doctors, pharmacists and rheumatologists in Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario.” The Arthritis Society says that rheumatoid arthritis “is an inflammatory disease that can affect many joints in the body.” The society says about 300,000 Canadians have the disease. Lightfoot said she started experiencing joint pain about three years ago and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Her family doctor referred her to a rheumatologist in southern Ontario. “For a while my information was lost and I didn’t have my first appointment with the rheumatologist for quite some time, which made me wonder what’s going on with the others?” he said. While he said he has received great care from southern Ontario – after connecting with a doctor – he added that northern Ontario needs more rheumatologists. NOSM he said last year that Northern Ontario had 325 physicians, including 166 specialists. For her research project, Lightfoot said she and her colleagues, including co-investigator Dr. David Marsh, will interview patients, doctors and pharmacists in northern Ontario about their experiences with rheumatoid arthritis. The aim is to form a picture of what care looks like in the area and where there could be room for improvement. “It’s their experience with rheumatoid arthritis patients and the suggestions they have, for others and for other health care providers who treat and support and manage these patients,” Lightfoot said.
