CreakyJoints Australia recently dropped in to visit rheumatologist, Dr Irwin Lim, an avid Twitter user and blogger at his Chatswood Rheumatology Clinic, one of two BJC Health centres in Sydney, Australia.
Dr. Lim is part of the brain-trust behind this multi-faceted treatment centre and it is clear from the moment you step through the door that there’s something a bit special about what goes on here.
Greeting us was a self-check-in panel, a custom-built tea and coffee station, mobile phone chargers to borrow, a wall of helpful products and a gorgeous children’s playroom. Something told us that they think a lot about their patient’s comfort here!
But what really makes BJC Health unique is their integrated ‘Connected Care’ approach. You see, not only can you come here to see a rheumatologist, but the centre has physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, a dietician, remedial massage therapists, and a rheumatology care coordinator who also acts as an educator on staff. Patients are treated in dedicated treatment areas, which include a fantastic gym with pilates equipment, weights and resistance apparatus.
When asked why having these services under one roof is important for patient care, Dr. Lim said:
“It’s pretty clear that many people with rheumatic disease need and deserve more care than any one rheumatologist can provide by themselves. It just makes sense having a team that works closely with each other to help improve your health.”
We love this whole approach as often it can be difficult for patients to use allied health care effectively due to fatigue, location and communication breakdowns. The way it works here, Irwin told us, “involves a group of health professionals who are interested in and trained in musculoskeletal problems and rheumatic disease all working in the same clinic. They share an electronic patient record, and a clear focus to create the best possible solutions.”
So, why aren’t there more centres like this? Having all these services under one roof just seems like a smart and considered approach.
“The problem is cost and the lack of financial incentives to provide this care“, Dr. Lim said. “It has been very hard work for us to create this environment for patients and the clinic owners have basically subsidised this multidisciplinary approach to rheumatology. Rheumatic diseases are not sexy or high profile either. So attracting the right health professionals takes time and a lot of training and work structures are needed to get people working together effectively. Just collecting health professionals with different skill sets together in the same location does not mean you have a caring, effective team that will go out of their way to help you.”
Dr. Lim is a great supporter of CreakyJoints Australia and we really appreciate his time. You will certainly see his name popping up now and again as one of our Australian rheumatology experts.
