Inflammatory conditions presenting in MSK: Screening, investigations and when to refer to Rheumatology
Targeted health professional education: for all clinicians triaging, assessing and managing musculoskeletal presentations including Advanced Practice and Triaging Interface clinicians, First Contact Practitioner (FCP), private practitioners, and sports medicine clinicians.
The course is also valuable for experienced Musculoskeletal clinicians to update their knowledge in inflammatory screening and inflammatory conditions, and university and clinical educators involved in pre and post graduate professional education of musculoskeletal assessment and management.
Aim
To raise awareness and reduce the delay to diagnosis of inflammatory conditions through increasing skills and knowledge of how to recognise suspected inflammatory conditions and when to refer to Rheumatology
To support Rheumatology screening capabilities development 1 covering the most common inflammatory conditions, including:
Early Inflammatory Arthritis (EIA) including Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Spondyloarthritis (SpA) including Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Crystal arthritis- Gout and Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD)
Connective Tissue Diseases including lupus and scleroderma
Muscle inflammatory conditions including Myositis
To identify non-inflammatory conditions that may raise suspicion of inflammatory conditions
Osteoarthritis
Fibromyalgia
Outcome:
To support earlier recognition, diagnosis, intervention and improved outcomes of people with inflammatory conditions
Background:
Musculoskeletal clinicians are key to early diagnosis to help reduce the significant immediate and long-term impacts of inflammatory conditions. Knowing which features should raise suspicion and when to refer onto rheumatology is an important aspect of musculoskeletal clinical practice1. This includes awareness of appropriate diagnostic investigations for primary care and role of a multidisciplinary team approach to management.
The course will support developing the Rheumatology screening capabilities in musculoskeletal clinical practice assessment, and particularly advanced practice and FCP roles.
This course will enable clinicians to develop their clinical knowledge and skills to screen for suspected inflammatory conditions, know what investigations should be requested, and when to refer for Rheumatology assessment. The course will outline research and resources available to support their clinical practice in screening for these conditions.
Mapped to Roadmap to Practice - FCP Knowledge, Skills & Attributes
All course places must be booked through the website and paid for by card. There is no facility for later payment. It is up to the individual delegate to reclaim course fees from their employer.
Tutors
William Gregory, MSc, BSc (hons) Physiotherapy, NMP, FCSP
Hannah Chambers MSc Health, MRes, BSc (hons) Physiotherapy, NMP
Dr Carol McCrum DPT, BAppSci(Phys), Grad Dip (Manip), NMP, Dip Msk Med (RCP Edin), FMACP, FCSP
From left to right : Hannah Chambers, WIll Gregory and Dr Carol McCrum
Will, Hannah and Carol are founding co-Chairs of the CSP Rheumatology Physiotherapy UK Professional Network and co-authors of the UK Rheumatology Physiotherapy Capabilities Framework and sit on the British Society for Rheumatology Physiotherapy and Allied Health Course Working Groups. The Capabilities Framework aims to support the physiotherapy workforce, role development, professional education, and support those working in musculoskeletal clinical practice to ensure early recognition and referral of suspected rheumatological conditions.
William Gregory, MSc Physiotherapy, BSc (hons) Physiotherapy, NMP, FCSP:
Will is a Consultant Physiotherapist in the Rheumatology team at Salford Royal Hospital, UK, and Visiting Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University delivering Advanced Practice Physiotherapy and First Contact Physiotherapy Modules. He has presented nationally and internationally, including World Scleroderma Congress, European Paediatric Rheumatology Society Meeting, World Physiotherapy Congress, and invited keynote speaker at Australian Rheumatology Association Conference (2023). Will has published in rehabilitation of Scleroderma and Myositis, Axial Spondyloarthritis and co-authored UK National Guidelines on Rheumatoid Arthritis (NICE 2016), Myositis (BSR 2022) and Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). Will is Vice-President of the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) and is Chair of NW England Axial Spondyloarthritis CIG, and AStretch Committee member. Will undertakes new patient and treatment clinics for suspected Axial Spondyloarthritis and non-inflammatory widespread pain, including diagnostics, prescribing and injection therapy.
Hannah Chambers
Hannah Chambers MSc Health, MRes, BSc (hons) Physiotherapy, NMP: Hannah is an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist working in Rheumatology at East Kent Hospitals NHS University Foundation Trust, and at the Northside MSK Clinic. Hannah has taught on the Physiotherapy undergraduate programme at Canterbury Christ Church University, England, BSR Education Committee and lectured nationally on rheumatology screening and management.
Hannah is on the AStretch committee, an organisation of physiotherapists with an interest in AxSpA. Hannah undertakes rheumatology review clinics for people with inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions, works closely with the Rheumatology MDT and leads the Rheumatology Therapies Team of physiotherapists and occupational therapists, supporting rheumatology specific gym and pool services.
Hannah is an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist working in Rheumatology at East Kent Hospitals NHS University Foundation Trust, and at the Northside MSK Clinic. Hannah has taught on the Physiotherapy undergraduate programme at local Universities. She has presented nationally and internationally on rheumatology screening and management. Within her NHS role she reviews all newly diagnosed inflammatory and complex musculoskeletal patients, as well as running a fibromyalgia service and overseeing gym and pool services. Hannah is on the BSR Education Committee, AStretch and MLACP committees.
Dr Carol McCrum
Carol was a NHS Consultant Physiotherapist in Musculoskeletal Medicine (2005-2021) in the UK, and currently works in an Advanced Practice role in Rheumatology and Spinal Triage services, Canberra Health Services, Australia. Carol was a committee member of NICE Guidance (2017) and Quality Standards (2018) on Spondyloarthritis, and other national and international projects, including the CSP MSK Standards of Care, WHO RA Rehabilitation guidance, and Australian Rheumatology Association RA Quality Care Standards (2024). Carol continues to be active in clinical research and professional education, and keen to support rheumatology education in MSK clinical practice. .