An evidence-informed model of care for people with lower limb osteoarthritis in New Zealand

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and costly condition. Evidence-based clinical guidelines recommend three core treatments for OA: education, exercise, and weight loss (as appropriate). However, the translation of evidence into practice is limited. Clinical guidelines do not provide information on how to implement recommendations in local care settings. In New Zealand, management of people with OA in primary care is inconsistent and fragmented. Clinicians and researchers have made a call for a New Zealand OA model of care to close this evidence-practice gap and optimise primary care OA management nationwide. A model of care is a condition specific implementation strategy that outlines what care should be funded and delivered, who should provide it, and where and how care should be addressed. Various models of care for OA have been implemented with promising results in Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe. One programme that is translating guidelines into practice is the Model OsteoArthritis Consultation (MOAC). Empirical evaluations of the MOAC in the UK and Europe have demonstrated greater delivery of core treatments, better service quality, and improved patient outcomes. This article makes a case for piloting the MOAC in New Zealand as an implementation strategy to optimise primary care management of OA.