title: The STTEP: a Model for musculoskeletal health care in marginalized communities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article introduces the STTEP (Sustainable Training, Treatment, Employment Program) Model. The Model has been in operation since 1995. It provides a useful conceptual framework for policy makers, practitioners, and educators. The Model evolved from work carried out by chiropractors, myotherapists, and related health workers in poor communities through the charitable organization Hands On Health Australia. The STTEP Model grew from a recognition that poor communities mostly rely on heavy, repetitive physical labor for work. For these communities, there is little opportunity to access suitable and affordable health care requiring them to frequently live with the pain and disability associated with highly prevalent musculoskeletal conditions in their communities. The STTEP Model includes myotherapy and musculoskeletal health promotion for uncomplicated musculoskeletal conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Model also supports training for community members and collaborates with community leaders to promote employment opportunities for graduates. The Model embraces an ethos of cultural sensitivity, corporate responsibility, and sustainability. Project Hope (Hands On Philippines Education), a program in the Philippines, is used to illustrate the Model in action.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chiropractic, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. dein@optusnet.com.au
authors.forename: Dein R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Vindigni
authors.forename: Barbara I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Polus
authors.forename: Gay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Edgecombe
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Rotterdam
authors.forename: Felicity
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Redpath
authors.forename: Elma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ellen
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004493:Education; D004651:Employment; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D010679:Philippines; D005082:Physical Exertion; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D011203:Poverty; D011204:Poverty Areas