Health services and clinicians can use these models, clinical priorities and additional resources to support people to self-manage osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a prevalent condition of the moveable joints that commonly affects the knees, and hips. Osteoarthritis causes pain and is a leading cause of disability, affecting participation in valued activities. It is also a common cause of early retirement, substantial loss of personal income and workplace productivity. While there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, there are evidence-based self-management and lifestyle strategies that can improve symptoms and help people to live well with their osteoarthritis.
These resources were originally developed as one of the 13 clinical initiatives of Leading Better Value Care, a program accelerating value-based healthcare in NSW.
This initiative focuses on providing access to self-management and lifestyle strategies for people with osteoarthritis, before or while they wait for elective joint replacement surgery. It is based on the Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program Model of Care.
The clinical aims of this initiative are:
- improved pain and comorbidity management
- better function, mobility and quality of life
- improved readiness for surgery in people with late stage osteoarthritis who are on surgical waitlists
- more appropriate surgical waitlists.
Note: The information on this page is for clinicians and service providers. If you are a patient or referrer seeking a service in NSW, please visit the Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program Service Directory.
Model of care
Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program Model of Care
A comprehensive, multidisciplinary model of care to enhance service delivery for people in NSW with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee.
For clinicians and services
What to improve
A summary of the four clinical components of the initiative:
- whole-of-person assessment
- coordination of conservative care
- regular review
- shared decision-making about surgery
How to improve
Explore options for different organisational models to tailor clinical services for your local requirements:
- coordinated multidisciplinary configuration
- coordinator model
Patient resources
- Key facts about osteoarthritis
Learn how to live well through education, self-management and a healthy lifestyle. - Plan for living well with osteoarthritis
Checklists guide you on how to improve symptoms and your overall health. - Role of joint replacement surgery
Thinking about joint replacement surgery? Find out what it involves and consider the risks. - Planning for joint replacement surgery
Checklists guide you to ensure your health is optimal so you have the best possible result.
Additional resources
- Service directory
- Site manual
- Assessment tool and self-assessment tool (Excel)
- Monitoring and evaluation plan