Journal article

Redesigning care for chronic conditions: Improving hospital-based ambulatory care for people with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee

CA Brand, B Amatya, B Gordon, T Tosti, A Gorelik

Internal Medicine Journal | Published : 2010

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee is a highly prevalent chronic condition in Australia that commonly affects older people who have other comorbidities. We report the pilot implementation of a new chronic disease management osteoarthritis service, which was multidisciplinary, evidence-based, supported patient self-management and care coordination. Methods: A musculoskeletal coordinator role was pivotal to service redesign and osteoarthritis pathway implementation. Impact evaluation included: service utilization, patient and general practitioner service experience, a 'before and after' audit of clinician adherence to recommendations, and 3- and 6-month patient health outcomes (pai..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

The project was supported by funding from the Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Health and Ageing, and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians through the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Quality Improvement Program (AMQuIP). There was internal funding support from the Royal Melbourne Hospital with redefinition and repositioning of a physiotherapist from the allied health department to the musculoskeletal coordinator position in the rheumatology clinic.