Professional Counselling Service in Denmark
The Danish Rheumatism Association offers a multidisciplinary, professional counselling service staffed by a rheumatologist, nurse, occupational therapist, dietary advisor, lawyer, physiotherapists, and social workers.
The phone service operates 27 hours per week, with written requests answered continuously.
In 2025, the service received 5,408 enquiries, with 84% conducted by phone. The majority of contacts were women (80%) and members of the Association. The three most common topics included:
- Somatic or medical issues
- Employment concerns
- Physiotherapy
The service is delivered in a non-clinical, person-centred setting.
Menopause Support for Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the UK
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) launched a workstream to address the lack of menopause discussion for women with rheumatoid arthritis—93% of respondents reported it was not discussed.
Three key initiatives emerged from the workstream:
- A booklet providing accessible information
- An online peer support group
- A Coalition for Menopause, comprising rheumatologists, menopause specialists, GPs, pharmacists, nurses, researchers, and service users
Work Participation for Young Adults with RMDs in Norway
The Norwegian Rheumatism Association convened a gathering of 40 people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), aged 18–40, to explore barriers and facilitators to sustainable work participation.
Barriers included fluctuating disease activity, fatigue, and limited workplace knowledge. Facilitators included early intervention, flexible work arrangements, supportive leadership, and awareness of rights.
Peer support was identified as a central enabling factor for sustained employment.
Physiotherapy Access Reform in Cyprus
A patient-led initiative in Cyprus successfully advocated for increased reimbursed physiotherapy sessions within the public health system. Previously limited to 9 sessions regardless of diagnosis, the new policy introduced disease-specific entitlements:
- Rheumatoid arthritis: up to 24 sessions
- Fibromyalgia: 12 sessions
- Spondyloarthritis: 42 sessions
Patients reported improved functional capacity, mobility, and symptom management following the reform.