General practitioners' knowledge of functional and social factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The care of people with chronic physical disease is an important part of the work of general practitioners (GPs). Knowledge of social and functional factors, and good teamwork with other health and social care professionals, are necessary to provide high quality general practice care. This study investigated functional disability, social situation and the involvement of health and social care professionals in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and their GPs' knowledge of these factors.