Rheumatologist reviews both the self-administered tender joint count (out of 68 joints on a homunculus) and self-administered Early Inflammatory Arthritis Detection Tool that were completed by the patient. Rheumatologist then uses the information provided in these tools by the patient to determine whether they should advance the urgency rating of the case.

Rheumatologist reviews both the self-administered Early Inflammatory Arthritis Detection Tool that was completed by the patient. Rheumatologist then uses the information provided in this tool by the patient to determine whether they should advance the urgency rating of the case.

Rheumatologist reviews both the self-administered Patient Tender Joint Count that was completed by the patient. Rheumatologist then uses the information provided in this tool by the patient to determine whether they should advance the urgency rating of the case.

Rheumatologist does not review any of the self-administered tools completed by the patient.

Self-assessment including a self-administered patient joint count and a self-administered Early Inflammatory Arthritis Detection Tool

When a rheumatologist receives a new referral, he/she gives it an "urgency rating", which indicates how soon the patient needs to be seen based on information they have about the patient in the referral letter. Urgency rating has four levels: 1) urgent, schedule patient within 4 weeks, 2) urgent, schedule patient in 4 to 6 weeks, 3) urgent, schedule patient in 6 to 12 weeks, 4) non-urgent, schedule patient after 12 weeks. These were developed by the Canadian Rheumatology Association. Please note that these are NOT time points, but ratings used to describe how soon a patient should be seen.

Urgency rating will be recorded by the rheumatologist after three different cases: 1) After the rheumatologist receives the patient's referral letter, 2) after the patient arrives for their first appointment and completes a self-assessment in the waiting area, and 3) after the rheumatologist completes their first physical assessment of the patient.