• What is the Rheumatology Day Program?

• What is a Rheumatological Disorder?
• Who can attend and How do I get into the program? [Referral form]
• Who will I see?
• How much time is required?
• Where is the program located?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Patient Information Form
• Our patients talk about our Program (video clip)

What is the Rheumatology Day Program?

The Rheumatology Day Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London is a multidisciplinary treatment program for patients with rheumatological conditions. Participants will learn ways to cope with their various symptoms to help improve their quality of life. Individuals in the program will learn self-management techniques in order to increase their independence in work, household, and social/leisure activities while managing to control symptoms. 

Education and group sessions are provided for family members of participants. The goal of these sessions is to assist families to better understand the participant’s condition and support them as they implement their new self-management techniques.

Each day of the program will involve a structured series of education sessions or activities in which you will learn skills to manage your arthritis. Groups sessions will involve the following areas:

• Arthritis Disease Education
• Disease Disease Specific Medication Education (learn about the different drugs that are used, why combinations of drugs are used, and why toxic drugs may be required to manage your condition).
• Coping with Chronic Illness (learn how chronic illness affects all aspects of your life & how to make lifestyle changes in order to manage your condition.  Discuss issues of loss, grieving, adjustment & learn effective coping strategies)
• Stress & Illness
• Pain Education  (learn about chronic pain, how it differs from acute pain, how pain affects all aspects of your life & what can exacerbate pain.  Learn how to cope with pain)
• Chronic Illness & Emotions
• Preventing Relapse (learn how to stay motivated & maintain your medication, exercise or treatment program.  Learn how to prepare for & cope with “problem situations” that throw you off course)
• Relaxation Training (learn how to relax your muscles to: 1) decrease pain or symptoms caused by muscle tension or stress, and 2) stay calm and handle stress and / or anxiety better).
• Relapse Prevention
• Stress Management/Cognitive Therapy (learn how to mange stressful situations better through the use of problem-solving skills, assertive communication etc.)
• Family Education Sessions (family members learn about your chronic pain condition, why it is different from acute pain, how pain affects you & the family and what role they can play in supporting your efforts to mange your condition).
• Support Services Workshop (learn about programs & services which may help you if your condition is affecting your income, your employment situation, or is requiring you to spend a large part of your income on prescription drugs).   
• Physiotherapy Exercise Programs (participate in an exercise program to improve strength, flexibility and function and to teach you appropriate exercises & use of the treadmill or static bicycle).
• Physiotherapy Pool Exercise Program (participate in a water exercise program designed to help with movement and to teach you appropriate exercises in water)
• Energy Conservation and Fatigue Management (learn strategies to minimize fatigue, pain, and muscle weakness.  Learn how to make the most of your energy throughout the day at work, home, and during leisure).
• Joint Protection and Hand Class (learn safer and less painful ways of doing everyday activities by using strategies and/or assistive devices to decrease stress and damage to joints).
• Feet and Footwear Education Class (learn about common arthritic foot conditions, foot care, and how supportive/proper footwear and custom-made foot orthotics can decrease your foot, leg, and lower back pain, protect your joints, and improve your walking tolerance).
• Proper Body Mechanics and Ergonomic Class

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  What is a Rheumatological disorder?

• Inflammatory arthritis (includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, etc.)
• osteoarthritis
• fibromyalgia
• ankylosing spondylitis
• lupus
• scleroderma

Who can attend? How do I get into the  program?

In order to attend the program, you must:

1) have a confirmed rheumatological diagnosis and 2) your rheumatologist, family doctor or SJHC therapist must complete and submit a referral form.

Arrangements will then be made for you to come in for an intake assessment. This assessment will take approximately two hours as you will be seeing professionals from Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychology. You will be also filling out questionnaries during this time. After finishing the intake assessment, you must pre-register. If the next group is full, your name will be placed on a waiting list for the next available session.

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Who Will I See?

The Rheumatology Day Program is a comprehensive treatment program which combines treatment services provided by various health care professionals, who may include occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, social worker, rheumatologists, nurses, pastoral care, pharmacist, nutritionist. Click here for a list of our staff.

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How much time is required?

You are expected to be available on a full-time basis, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm for the two week program. After this intensive phase, participants may have the option of continuing to attend a 6 week physiotherapy exercise program, if indicated. At this time, patients will be reviewed to evaluate their progress and knowledge base.

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Where is the Program Located?

The Rheumatology Day Program is offered by the Arthritis Institute at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.  The program is located on K3 of the Monsignor Roney Building located at the corner of Cheapside and Richmond.

Parking is available in the St. Joseph’s parking garage (entrance on Grosvenor St.), but is very limited. There is a drop-off point right outside the Monsignor Roney Building off Cheapside.

If you live outside of London, inexpensive accommodations are available e.g., housing owned by St. Joseph’s Hospital (starting at $30/day including breakfast) (519-646-6021); Please call us if you require more information.

Contact Information:

Rheumatology Day Program
St. Joseph’s Health Care London
268 Grosvenor St., P.O. Box 5777
London, Ontario   N6A 4V2
(519) 646-6340 /  (519) 646-6317 (fax)