In 2014, the Arthritis Alliance of Canada (AAC), a former nationwide coalition of more than thirty-five groups including people living with arthritis, health care professionals, researchers, funding agencies, government, voluntary sector agencies and industry partners, developed a national framework for inflammatory arthritis (IA) models of care, “A pan-Canadian Approach to Inflammatory Arthritis Models of Care.” The report presented the foundational framework for the high quality models of IA care that are evidence informed and reinforced by best practices.

It is estimated that one million Canadians live with inflammatory types of arthritis (IA). The current pattern of health care delivery to those living with IA is in crisis: the economic burden is expected to double within a generation, and the number of rheumatologists in Canada is already insufficient to provide timely care. A pan-Canadian Approach to Inflammatory Arthritis Models of Care was prepared by the AAC in response to these challenges, to improve the way health care is delivered to patients with IA.

CAPA was a proud member of the Arthritis Alliance of Canada that worked in partnership with the other members of the coalition towards better arthritis prevention and care in Canada.