Patient and Rheumatologist Perspectives of the Patient SAID Tool (Self-Administered Inflammatory Arthritis Detection): Implementation Considerations, Potential Barriers, and Opportunities

Objective As part of a research program examining rheumatology referrals in British Columbia, the Patient SAID study evaluated the ‘SAID tool', which contains validated patient-completed questionnaires for identifying and prioritizing individuals with inflammatory arthritis, supporting its utility and feasibility. This article reports the perspectives of participating patients and rheumatologists regarding the SAID tool. Methods A multi-methods design was used to collect and analyze patient survey and rheumatologist interview data, with an emphasis on implementation relevance. Ninety-two patients who completed the questionnaires in the SAID study also provided feedback on their experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three rheumatologists. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using Excel and NVivo to identify usability, relevance, and barriers or enablers to implementing the tool in primary-to-specialist referral. Results Most patients (85%) found the SAID tool easy to log into and complete (78%). Across diagnostic groups, most (76%) believed it could help their GP assess symptoms, but emphasized the need for more nuanced response options and space for elaboration. Rheumatologists viewed the tool as brief, useful, and potentially valuable for triage, especially if integrated at the referral stage. Key barriers included time constraints, false negatives, and lack of integration with electronic medical records. All supported optional implementation led by motivated patients, provided it complemented, not complicated, existing workflows. Conclusion With targeted modifications and appropriate implementation mechanisms, the SAID tool has the potential to improve the quality of referrals, support triage decision-making, and address current gaps in access to rheumatology care within evolving digital health systems.