The Malmo model for private and public rheumatological outpatient care. Cooperation makes it possible to introduce disease modifying treatment quickly

The Malmo model represents a close collaboration between private practitioners who receive public financing and hospital-based rheumatological clinics. A comparison of these two types of out-patient care was undertaken by questionnaire in 1997 (70% response rate). Of the total patient cohort in the study, 73% were seen by private rheumatologists. The evaluation showed very similar outcomes, regardless of drug treatment employed or professional personnel involved (i.e., a physician or other members of the rheumatological team). Minor differences concerned easier accessibility to physicians in private practice, and the large proportion of immigrants seen at the hospital clinic. The results of the study confirmed the similarity of care provided in both types of out-patient clinics. Improved pharmacological products for suppressing inflammation will lead to increasing demands on out-patient rheumatological care. The model described illustrates a method of meeting those demands.