Queensland researchers who surveyed patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have found 91% say they have never heard of the treat-to-target approach for their condition.

And a survey of rheumatologists conducted by the same team shows that physicians see lack of time as the major barrier to using a treat-to-target approach.

The authors say a digital ‘knowledge translation tool’ they have created might help doctors and patients working in partnership to use treat-to-target more frequently.

The patient survey was conducted among 111 adults (71% female) attending either a public rheumatology clinic at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital (70%) or a private Brisbane rheumatology clinic (30%).