i071 The contribution of physiotherapy in the care of people with inflammatory arthritis

Abstract

Physiotherapy is recommended in the management of people with inflammatory arthritis. Physical therapies are non-pharmacological treatments which are widely used to maximise function, independence and health-related quality of life. Physiotherapists have a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to health and wellbeing, which includes an individual's general lifestyle. At the core is the person's involvement in their own care, through education, awareness, empowerment and participation in their treatment. However, recent evidence suggests physiotherapists are not always available as part of the MDT and waiting times for physiotherapy can be lengthy. This presentation will briefly review the evidence for key physiotherapy management strategies for people with inflammatory arthritis, particularly the role pf physical activity and exercise, and consider the changing approaches to delivering physiotherapy. Novel methods to support self-management and increase access to physiotherapy, as part of the MDT, will be explored.