I. Rationale Arthritis and related diseases are a group of disorders that affect joints, ligaments, bones, tendons and other parts of the musculoskeletal system (1). In Ontario, arthritis is a leading cause of pain, physical disability and use of health care services (2, 3). Although the disease is not usually life threatening, symptoms of pain, swelling and stiffness can significantly reduce quality of life and contribute to long-term disability (4). Since arthritis is a chronic disease, it must be managed throughout a patient's lifetime, with appropriate treatments for each stage of the disease. Management is usually focused on symptom control, prevention of pain and disability and improving quality of life (1).