E-learning Is Widely Used by Musculoskeletal Professionals (especially Academics and Trainees) and Arthritis Research Uk Provides Some of the Best Resources: Results from a National Electronic Survey

referrals which they dealt with. At the end of the 15 month period, this was analysed with regard to demographic data, specialties generating the referral, final rheumatologic diagnosis, response time and the outcome. They were supported by 7.6 WTE consultants who run a separate rheumatology on call rota and a weekly rapid access clinic. Results: A total of 135 patients were seen by the registrars with the continued support from the consultants. The top four reasons for the referral were Crystal arthropathy (19.2% 26/135), Rheumatoid arthritis flare (15.5% 21/135), problems related to osteoarthritis (9.6% 13/135) and infections (septic arthritis and discitis, 8.14% 11/135). A separate category named as others (24.4% 33/135) was included. This was a heterogeneous group ranging from methotrexate pneumonitis to inflammatory myopathy. New rheumatologic diagnoses was made in 58.52 %(79/135) of patients; 41.48 %(56/135) represented complications or exacerbation of existing rheumatology patients. The Emergency Medical Unit (EMU) generated maximum referrals (85.9% 116/135) followed by surgical (7.4% 10/135) and emergency departments (2.2% 3/135). Most of them required advice on management (62.2% 84/135) and a proportion of these required interventions like joint aspirations and injections (17.0% 23/135). The care of 32.5 %(44/ 135) of these referrals was transferred to a rheumatology ward under a rheumatology consultant. 75.55 %(102/135) of the referrals were seen within the same day. Conclusions: This study highlights the range of conditions that were dealt with by rheumatology SpR’s in over a period of 15 months. All three SpR’s found it extremely valuable for their training and experience. Disclosure statement: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.