Kennebec Region Health Alliance

Background:

Arthritis and musculoskeletal pain are among the most common chief complaints in primary care clinics. MaineGeneral rheumatologists are available to help providers diagnose and treat patients with inflammatory arthritis, systemic autoimmune connective tissue diseases and vasculitis, musculoskeletal pain, soft tissue rheumatism, and unexplained systemic symptoms and findings. Early diagnosis and treatment have been shown to improve long-term outcomes in many of these conditions, so these general referral guidelines are intended to improve the efficiency of the consultative process and to assure that urgent consultations are appropriately prioritized.