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Abstract Background/Aims GGH operates a self-referral joint injection clinic where patients suffering from an acute arthritis flare, can call and book an appointment for review and possible joint injection. The self referral service applies to all the patients attending the GGH rheumatology service and are under the care of a rheumatologist. A screening questionnaire was originally designed to triage those requesting appointments last year. We have amplified this work further this year by raising awareness and educating patients about their rheumatological condition and specifically about steroid intra-articular joint injections. Their benefits, risks and their indications. Aims-1. Providing education and awareness of joint injections in the community aiding patients to participate in their joint care. 2. Help patient understand the indications, side effects and risks involved with repeated injection . 3. To know the difference between osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. Methods Retrospective study of patients who self-referred for joint injection between 07/07/2022 and 22/05/2023. Total of 138 self referred via phone calls, emails or letters. All the self referral data was compiled, assessed by screening questions and reviewed. An education and awareness campaign was made possible through an improved waiting room, educational pamphlets, leaflets and 1:1 consultations. Results Two pools of patients who received joint injections were analysed. Group A (07/07/2022 - 08/12/2022) where 102 patients self-referred and 43 received a joint injection. Group B (04/01/2023 - 22/05/2023) 36 self-referred and 15 received injection. The table below shows the different demographics of the two groups. Conclusion Patient Education remains one of the most important cornerstones in management of arthritis patients. After an ongoing campaign of education/awareness, self referrals were reduced by 66 %.This audit demonstrates that patient education about joint injections allows for more effective management, allowing better informed shared care. It also reduces the waiting times for patients to be seen in the injection clinic - from 3 months to 2 weeks. A cost effective approach in service improvement. Population who still availed joined injection in the re- audit were more elderly, obese, female, and had more metabolic diseases however the self referral to injection ratio is almost the same both groups. Disclosure S. Maunick: None. C. Mullet: None. T. Mccoll: None. M. Reed: None. M. Gupta: None. M. Hafeez: None. S. Bawa: None.
Maunick et al. (Mon,) studied this question.