New Data from Deakin University Illuminate Findings in Knee Osteoarthritis (Personal Perspectives on Enablers and Barriers to Accessing Care for Hip…

New Data from Deakin University Illuminate Findings in Knee Osteoarthritis (Personal Perspectives on Enablers and Barriers to Accessing Care for Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Data detailed on Arthritis have been presented. According to news reporting out of Melbourne, Australia, by VerticalNews editors, research stated, "Despite increasing demand for joint replacement surgery and other health services for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), barriers and enablers to individual access to care are not well understood. A comprehensive understanding of drivers at all levels is needed to inform efforts for improving access."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Deakin University, "The aim of this study was to explore perceived barriers and enablers to receiving conservative (nonsurgical) and surgical treatment for hip and knee OA. This was a qualitative study using directed content analysis. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted, with 33 participants randomly sampled from an Australian population-based survey of hip and knee OA. Each interview covered factors contributing to receiving treatment for OA and perceived barriers to accessing care. Interview transcripts were coded and organized into themes. Key barriers to accessing care for OA included medical opinions about saving surgery for later and the appropriate age for joint replacement. Other common barriers included difficulty obtaining referrals or appointments, long waiting times, work-related issues, and limited availability of primary and specialist care in some areas. Several participants perceived a lack of effective treatment for OA. Private health insurance was the most frequently cited enabler and was perceived to support the costs of surgical and conservative treatments, including physical therapy, while facilitating faster access to surgery. Close proximity to services and assistance from medical professionals in arranging care also were considered enablers. People with hip or knee OA experience substantial challenges in accessing treatment, and these challenges relate predominantly to health professionals, health systems, and financial factors."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "Private health insurance was the strongest perceived enabler to accessing care for OA."

For more information on this research see: Personal Perspectives on Enablers and Barriers to Accessing Care for Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. Physical Therapy, 2016;96(1):26-36. Physical Therapy can be contacted at: Amer Physical Therapy Assoc, 1111 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Physical Therapy - www.journals.elsevier.com/physical-therapy-in-sport/)

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting I.N. Ackerman, Deakin University, Public Hlth Innovat, Populat Hlth Strateg Res Center, Sch Hlth & Social Dev, Melbourne, Vic, Australia. Additional authors for this research include J.A. Livingston and R.H. Osborne.

Keywords for this news article include: Surgery, Melbourne, Joint Diseases, Health Insurance, Rheumatic Diseases, Knee Osteoarthritis, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Australia and New Zealand

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