New models for primary care are needed for osteoarthritis.
Musculoskeletal problems are the most common cause of restriction in daily life in most countries. Most health care for musculoskeletal problems is provided in primary care settings, and back pain and joint problems together represent the largest workload of cases of chronic disease seen and managed there. This article reflects on aspects of the occurrence, natural history, prognosis, and management of common joint problems in primary care. Although the biomedical model has contributed to major advances, a model that embraces chronic pain management and its psychological and social components is needed. In particular, primary care is the ideal arena to achieve high-impact secondary prevention of pain and disability in people with osteoarthritis. Physical therapists are in a crucial position in primary care to provide support for self-management of this condition, especially for interventions related to exercise and behavioral change.
Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care Centre, Primary Care Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom. k.s.dziedzic@cphc.keele.ac.uk
Krysia S
KS
Dziedzic
Jonathan C
JC
Hill
Mark
M
Porcheret
Peter R
PR
Croft
D017677:Age Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution