Research Week Abstract Book - Northern Health
Research Week Abstract Book - Northern Health
Research Week Abstract Book - Northern Health
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Chronic Disease Management<br />
INTRODUCTION OF A MULTIDisCIPlinary KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS (oa) GrouP<br />
ProGRAM IN COMMUNITY THERAPY SERVICes (CTS) TO IMProVE PATIENT<br />
ACCess TO CONSERVATIVE MANAGemenT, SELF-rePorTED UNDersTANDinG<br />
TO SELF-MANAGE, FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY AND QualiTY OF LIFE (QOL) AT<br />
broaDmeaDOWS HEALTH SERVICE (bhs).<br />
CHROnIC DISEASE Management<br />
Koh KWZ, & Stillman M.<br />
Background<br />
Patients referred to BHS CTS with knee OA were categorised as a low priority contributing to significant time waiting for<br />
conservative management. As a result they were unable to access therapy prior to their follow up specialist appointments.<br />
Aim<br />
To improve patient access to physiotherapy, knowledge in self-management, functional outcomes and quality of life (QoL)<br />
through the introduction of a multidisciplinary knee OA group program.<br />
Methods<br />
Patients from the CTS BHS waitlist consented to a knee OA group program during 2012. The group ran once a week over<br />
4 weeks and included education and exercise. Education sessions included information on OA, activities of daily living,<br />
exercise, weight management and supplements. Exercise included tailored strength, balance and flexibility exercises.<br />
Outcomes included waiting time, patient survey on self-management, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and Knee Osteoarthritis<br />
Outcome Score (KOOS).<br />
Results<br />
Twenty patients joined the program resulting in decreasing the waiting time from 12 months in 2011 to 4 weeks by the end<br />
of 2012. A Wilcoxon signed-ranked test showed statistically significant improvements in patients’ understanding of selfmanagement<br />
(n=9, p=0.015). There was no significant difference in 6MWT. Only sports/recreation (n=8, p=0.011) and QoL<br />
(n=8, p=0.026) in KOOS showed statistical significance.<br />
Conclusion<br />
A multidisciplinary knee OA group program greatly improves patients’ access to conservative management. Results suggest<br />
improvements in patients’ understanding to self-manage, as well as QoL and sports/recreation domains of KOOS. Further<br />
studies should address the high drop-outs rates, assess long-term effect and compare findings to non-group conservative<br />
management.<br />
23
Change language