Your healthcare team
Your healthcare team is made up of a number of individuals – you, your health care professionals, your family, friends and other supportive community groups.
You
You are at the centre of your healthcare team, because you make the final decisions about your health care.
General practitioner (GP)
Your healthcare team also includes your general practitioner (GP). You may have also already seen a rheumatologist (a doctor who specialises in arthritis).
Allied Health Professionals
You might also see other specialists or allied health professionals (eg. a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or dietitian) who can help with different areas of looking after your arthritis and are also a part of your healthcare team.
Family and Friends
Your family and friends may be able to support you by talking to you about the decisions that you make when it comes to managing your arthritis.
Getting the most from your healthcare visits
Doctors and health care professionals are there to help you through your arthritis management journey. Ensuring you get the most out of your appointments and visits, is a great first step to managing how you live with arthritis. To get the most out of any visit with a doctor or a health professional, it helps to:
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Be prepared with your x-rays, scans, and other records you’ve kept, such as a pain diary
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Consider taking a support person with you, so that you have someone else to hear the information you are given and remind you later.
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Take notes about any important information (or get your support person to do it for you).
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Ask questions if you don’t understand something, or need more information.
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Ask your doctor or health professional about where you can get more information. They will often know of organisations, support groups and places where you can learn more about your condition.
Learn about your condition
Another great way to manage your arthritis more effectively, is to educate yourself as well as your support network, about the type of arthritis you are living with.
Whether you’re living with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other form of arthritis – learning about your condition will help you better manage your symptoms and pain in the long run.
Your doctor and health professionals will be a great start to learning about your arthritis. This is also where we can help!
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Call the Infoline on 1800 011 041. Our friendly health team are here to help answer your questions, send you a free information pack and tell you about the services and support that may help you better manage your arthritis.
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Review our free arthritis resources which include Information sheets, booklets and recordings of past webinars.
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Read more about some of the types of arthritis and how they are managed.
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Connecting with others who live with arthritis can help you learn about your condition, treatments, and know you’re not alone. Join a face-to-face or online support group or organise an Arthritis Assist phone call.
Your treatment plan
By learning about your arthritis, and working with your healthcare team, you can determine the best treatment options tailored for your arthritis type and come up with a treatment plan. An arthritis treatment plan is a combination of treatments that help you to manage your arthritis.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Medicines
- Physical therapies (like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and podiatry)
- Exercise
- Healthy eating
- Pain management techniques
- Emotional and social support
- Finding the balance between activity and rest that works for you
As life changes, your treatment plan may also change from time to time. Many people find that having a treatment plan is reassuring, and keeps them ‘on track’ during the ups and downs of living with arthritis.
Keep your treatment on track
Below are a number of additional free resources that may help you in managing your arthritis and coming up with your own treatment plan
