Shared care for children and adolescents with JIA
Munro, 2014Onel, 2022Ringold, 2019
The long-term management of children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is best directed by a paediatric rheumatologist and delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes the patient’s general practitioner. The general practitioner has a key role in:
- assisting with and providing advice about drug administration
- providing family support
- managing the general health of the child or adolescent, which may include
- managing immunisations
- monitoring developmental milestones
- managing childhood infections
- starting contraception—for advice on the effects immunomodulatory drugs used for the management of JIA have on reproductive health, see Immunomodulatory drug use and reproductive health
- providing support to stop tobacco smoking, or addressing problem use of alcohol or other drugs
- supporting the child or adolescent to implement nonpharmacological interventions such as physical activity or psychological techniques
- monitoring medication adherence and tolerability
- supporting adolescents with self-management as they transition to adult care.
Input from allied health professionals (eg physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, psychologists) when required is also important. Support from social workers or nurse educators can help families come to terms with the diagnosis and its treatment requirements, obtain disability entitlements, and liaise with schools. For more detailed information about multidisciplinary care of children with JIA, see the Australian standards of care1.