Content area
Full Text
ABSTRACT
aim: Osteoarthritis (OA) affects the wellbeing of one in 10 people in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet current healthcare delivery for these people is fragmented, un-coordinated and inconsistent. How current and future needs should be addressed has not been systematically explored. This study aimed to describe the views of interested people from the health sector regarding current and future OA health service delivery in the public health system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
method: Data were collected via a co-design approach within an interprofessional workshop at the Taupuni Hao Huatau Kaikoiwi:
Osteoarthritis Aotearoa New Zealand Basecamp symposium and analysed using direct qualitative content analysis.
results: The results highlighted several promising current healthcare delivery initiatives. Health literacy and obesity prevention policies featured in the thematic analysis suggesting a lifespan or systemwide approach is needed. Data highlighted a need for reformed systems that enhances hauora/wellbeing, promotes physical activity, facilitates interprofessional service delivery and collaborates across care settings.
conclusion: Participants identified several promising healthcare delivery initiatives for people with OA in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Public health policy initiatives are needed to reduce osteoarthritis risk factors. Developing future care pathways should support the diverse needs within Aotearoa New Zealand, coordinate and stratify care, value interprofessional collaboration and practice, and improve health literacy and self-management.
Globally, osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability.12 In Aotearoa New Zealand, OA affects one in 10 people and prevalence is predicted to increase by 76% in the next 20 years due to obesity and population demographics and to drive healthcare costs up by 86%.3'4 The rising burden of OA will place greater demand on clinical services.4^6 OA can affect all aspects of a person's sense of hauora (health), including hinengaro (mental and emotional), tinana (physical) and whanau (social).710 International OA clinical management guidelines recommend people with OA should have access to care that provides appropriate person-centred education, exercise and weight loss (if applicable) before employing pharmacological or surgical management.12 In contrast to these recommendations, OA management in Aotearoa New Zealand has been described as fragmented and regionally variable,51315 but little research has been undertaken on service delivery for people living with OA in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In December 2020, a transdisciplinary committee formed to improve collaboration between stakeholders interested in...