TY - JOUR T1 - 2019 EULAR recommendations for the generic core competences of health professionals in rheumatology JF - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases JO - Ann Rheum Dis DO - 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215803 SP - annrheumdis-2019-215803 AU - Lisa Edelaar AU - Elena Nikiphorou AU - George E Fragoulis AU - Annamaria Iagnocco AU - Catherine Haines AU - Margot Bakkers AU - Lurdes Barbosa AU - Nada Cikes AU - Mwidimi Ndosi AU - Jette Primdahl AU - Yeliz Prior AU - Polina Pchelnikova AU - Valentin Ritschl AU - Valentin Sebastian Schäfer AU - Hana Smucrova AU - Inger Storrønning AU - Marco Testa AU - Dieter Wiek AU - Theodora P M Vliet Vlieland Y1 - 2019/08/09 UR - http://ard.bmj.com/content/early/2019/08/08/annrheumdis-2019-215803.abstract N2 - Background/objectives To maintain and optimise the quality of care provided by health professionals in rheumatology (HPRs), adequate educational offerings are needed. This task force (TF) aimed to develop evidence-based recommendations for the generic core competences of HPRs, with specific reference to nurses, physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) to serve as a basis for their postgraduate education.Methods The EULAR standardised operating procedures for the development of recommendations were followed. A TF including rheumatologists, nurses, PTs, OTs, patient-representatives, an educationalist, methodologists and researchers from 12 countries met twice. In the first TF meeting, 13 research questions were defined to support a systematic literature review (SLR). In the second meeting, the SLR evidence was discussed and recommendations formulated. Subsequently, level of evidence and strength of recommendation were assigned and level of agreement (LoA) determined (0–10 rating scale).Results Three overarching principles were identified and 10 recommendations were developed for the generic core competences of HPRs. The SLR included 79 full-text papers, 20 of which addressed the competences, knowledge, skills, attitudes and/or educational needs of HPRs from multiple professions. The average LoA for each recommendation ranged from 9.42 to 9.79. Consensus was reached both on a research and educational agenda.Conclusion Evidence and expert opinion informed a set of recommendations providing guidance on the generic core competences of HPRs. Implementation of these recommendations in the postgraduate education of HPRs at the international and national level is advised, considering variation in healthcare systems and professional roles. ER -