Team of Healthcare Professionals

Your family doctor or GP, your or your child’s pediatrician, was the one who most likely referred you to the specialist who diagnosed your or your child’s JIA. Your or your child’s family doctor or GP, or a pediatrician may be able to handle most of your questions and monitor your or your child’s condition, and will probably be the member of the treatment team with whom you and your child will have the most contact.

A rheumatologist is a specialist in internal medicine who has had special training in treating people with JIA and other rheumatic diseases. Today there are approximately 300 rheumatologists in Canada. They are located in most major cities across the country. Many work in hospitals, while others are based in the community and are affiliated with local hospitals.

Assist your doctor with your or your child's care, and can be helpful to you in many ways. Nurses play an important role in patient education. They can explain or clarify what your doctor has told you, and answer questions you may have about your or your child's treatment. They may also offer suggestions on lifestyle changes that may make living with JIA easier. A nurse can be an invaluable source of advice and support.

Teach you how to reduce strain on your or your child's joints while doing everyday activities, and can help you or your child to function without help. They can also design and fit splints that support and protect weakened joints. Their work is mostly focused on the small joints of the hand. To find an occupational therapist, ask your child's doctor for a referral or visit the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists website at https://www.caot.ca.

Can help maintain the mobility a child needs for daily living. They are experts in range-of-motion exercises that help keep your or your child's muscles strong and the joints from becoming stiff. Typically, they will do an evaluation to assess your or your child's condition and design an individualized program that is reassessed periodically. To find a physical therapist, ask your doctor for a referral or visit the Canadian Physiotherapy Association website at https://physiotherapy.ca.

Nutrition is important for everyone, particularly for people with JIA. What they eat can affect their energy level, and excess weight may put strain on their joints. The medications they take for JIA may affect how their body processes the food they eat. A nutritionist will counsel you on these matters and advise you on how you or your child should eat for optimum health. To find a nutritionist, ask your or your child's doctor for a referral or visit Dietitians of Canada website at https://www.dietitians.ca.

JIA may often be accompanied by stress, frustration, and other emotional reactions. Psychologists are trained to help you or your child deal with these challenges. They can help you or your child keep the difficulties of JIA in perspective, and use the power of your or your child's mind to deal with them effectively. Psychologists can also suggest relaxation techniques that can help you or your child better cope with stress and pain. To find a psychologist, ask your child's doctor for a referral. You can also visit the Canadian Psychological Association website at https://cpa.ca or call 1-888-472-0657. They can provide you with referrals in your local area through their provincial and territorial chapters.

Can be a good source of information about the medications you or your child takes. Pharmacists can tell you how different drugs work, what side effects they may cause, and how different medications interact with each other.

Social workers are concerned with helping individuals and families enhance their well-being. Social workers may act as a link between your treatment team and the family, as well as with community resources. They can help you identify needs and propose ways of meeting these needs. These services may be offered on an individual basis or in groups.