Evaluating Provider Awareness and Understanding of Hand Osteoarthritis

Hand osteoarthritis is a common cause of hand pain and often does not require referral to rheumatology. With the anticipated workforce shortage of rheumatologists, referral trends to rheumatology for osteoarthritis need to be further evaluated. We will be conducting online surveys with UNC healthcare providers to gauge their understanding and comfort in diagnosing and managing patients with hand osteoarthritis. This will include short hand osteoarthritis video recordings covering various aspects including diagnosis, differential diagnosis, management, prognosis and appropriate referral procedures to rheumatology. This data will provide us information about comfort level in diagnosis, management and understand referral patterns from primary care providers.