Healthcare Referral Tools
Supporting timely referrals and coordinated care.
Timely referral can make a meaningful difference for children and youth living with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Cassie + Friends provides referral-focused resources to help healthcare providers recognize possible signs of rheumatic disease, support families through next steps, and connect children with appropriate care.
These tools are designed to support communication, clinical decision-making, and more coordinated pathways to pediatric rheumatology care.
Why Referral Tools are Needed
Juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases can be complex and difficult to recognize. Symptoms may overlap with other conditions, change over time, or appear differently from child to child.
Referral tools help support earlier recognition, clearer communication, and more consistent pathways to care — helping children and families get the support they need sooner.
“Early referral to pediatric rheumatology can make a significant difference in outcomes. Recognizing the signs and acting quickly is key.”
— Pediatric Rheumatology Specialist
Supporting Timely Referrals
Healthcare providers play an important role in identifying symptoms that may require further investigation or referral to pediatric rheumatology. Referral tools can help support this process by outlining common signs, clinical considerations, and next steps.
These resources are not a replacement for clinical judgment, but they can help make referral conversations clearer and more informed.
Tools Include
Referral tools may include checklists, guides, forms, clinical prompts, or patient-facing materials designed to support providers and families.
Signs +
Symptoms
Referral
Guidance
Family
Education
Care
Coordination
For Healthcare Providers
These tools are intended for healthcare providers who may be supporting children and youth with symptoms of possible rheumatic disease, including primary care providers, pediatricians, nurses, allied health professionals, and community-based care teams.
By supporting earlier recognition and more informed referral conversations, these resources can help improve access to appropriate care.
For Families
Families may have questions when a referral to pediatric rheumatology is recommended. Referral tools and related resources can help explain what a referral means, why further assessment may be needed, and what families can expect as they move through the care journey.
Clear information can help reduce uncertainty and support families as they prepare for appointments and next steps.
Improving Access to Care
Access to pediatric rheumatology care can vary depending on where a family lives, local resources, and available services. Referral tools can help support more consistent communication and care coordination, especially for families in rural, remote, or underserved communities.
By helping providers and families identify needs earlier, these tools can support more equitable access to care.
Use in Practice
Healthcare referral tools may be used during appointments, shared with families, included in care planning, or used to support communication between providers and specialist teams.
They are designed to be practical, accessible, and easy to integrate into everyday care.
Accessing Tools
Explore available tools and resources to support referrals and care coordination.