Guidelines
Musculoskeletal education and resources for general practice
The following educational activities and resources are based on the Clinical guidelines for musculoskeletal diseases (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and osteoporosis) and have been developed as part of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Dissemination and Implementation Project, and supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing through the Better Arthritis and Osteoporosis Care Initiative.
Managing musculoskeletal conditions in general practice
Managing musculoskeletal conditions in general practice is an interactive online activity designed for both GPs and practice nurses. The activity reviews the general practice presentation and management of a range of musculoskeletal conditions including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological management is explored in detail, as well as lifestyle and pain management. The case studies highlight principles for maximising a patient’s quality of life.
The role of a clinical audit in improving the care of people with musculoskeletal conditions is examined. The activity also provides pragmatic guidance and comprehensive resources for practice staff undertaking this quality improvement activity.
As all general practice team members have a critical role in diagnosing, treating and monitoring musculoskeletal conditions, this educational activity aims to support the team to effectively manage these increasingly common conditions.
This activity has been approved for 4 Category 2 QA&CPD points.
RACGP members have free access to this activity via gplearning
check Program
check is an independent learning program and QI&CPD activity produced monthly by the RACGP, and has published three online educational units on: osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Each unit includes 5–8 clinical cases accompanied by questions and answers designed to bring out the salient points of the topic in question, followed by 10 multiple choice questions (MCQs), references and resources.
You can obtain 6 QI&CPD Category 2 points per check unit, by completing the unit and answering 10 MCQs online. A pass is 8/10.
check is accessed online via gplearning. RACGP members, who are registered medical practitioners, automatically have access to check online. Simply log in using the same username and password you use to log onto the RACGP website. If you can't remember your username and password, please call the gplearning helpdesk on 1800 284 789.
For a nominal fee, nonmembers can email check@racgp.org.au or call 03 8699 0495 if they wish to participant in these activities online, then call the gplearning helpdesk on 1800 284 789 to register in the first instance. You will be provided a username and password to commence the activity.
Complete one or more of these check units
Further details on the check Program
Best practice management of musculoskeletal conditions in general practice: A guide to developing a small group learning activity for practice teams
This guide is designed to support GPs and practice teams in undertaking a small group learning activity applying the Clinical guidelines for musculoskeletal diseases. A small group learning activity will encourage GPs and the practice team to examine ways to effectively manage patient with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and osteoporosis.
The guide is made up of six modules and is based on adult learning principles, incorporating a range of activities which include case studies, practice exercises and personal reflection exercises. You may choose to complete the entire set of modules or only those of most interest to you. Modules include:
Module 1 Diagnosis and early management of
musculoskeletal diseases
Module 2 Treatment and management of
osteoarthritis
Module 3 Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis
Module 4 Assessment and management of lifestyle
behavioural risk factors
Module 5 A multidisciplinary team approach to
musculoskeletal diseases
Module 6 Using the whole practice – practice systems
to support patients with, or at risk of, musculoskeletal diseases.
GPs can apply for QI&CPD points in the following ways:
- incorporate any or all modules into a small group learning activity (8 hours) and submit required documentation to their state faculty QI&CPD unit for 40 Category 1 points
- self record unaccredited activities online (2 hours) for up to 20 points per triennium
- submit an individual Category 1 ALM to receive 40 Category 1 points.
For further information contact your state faculty QI&CPD unit.
Access these forms at www.racgp.org.au/qicpd
A guide to developing rapid PDSA cycles to improve processes in general practice for the prevention and early identification of patients at risk of developing osteoporosis
This rapid ‘plan, do, study, act’ (PDSA) guide has been developed to support general practices in reviewing their current processes for identifying patients at risk of fracture. Through repeated PDSA cycles, small and manageable changes in practice systems lead to a significant, systematic improvement in care and prevention for patients with, or at risk of, osteoporosis.
Building on each other, these cycles can lead to sustained change and assist practice staff to effectively implement the recommendations from the Clinical guideline for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and older men.
A minimum of three rapid PDSA cycles completed within 3 months can earn 40 Category 1 points and can be applied for through the RACGP QI&CPD Program. Rapid PDSA application forms can be filled in online or downloaded.
For more information about PDSA cycles, contact your state faculty QI&CPD unit.
Access rapid PDSA forms at www.racgp.org.au/qicpd
A guide to developing a clinic audit in general practice to improve the diagnosis of osteoporosis
This clinical audit guide assists GPs and their teams to systematically review aspects of their own clinical performance against defined best practice guidelines. It also allows staff from each professional group within the practice to improve their knowledge of risk factors and prevention of osteoporosis. It supports changes within the practice to improve their capacity to meet the guidelines.
General practitioners who participate in a clinical audit can apply to the RACGP QI&CPD Program to obtain 40 Category 1 points.
Contact your state faculty QI&CPD unit for further information on clinical audits.
Access clinical audit forms at www.racgp.org.au/qicpd
Pre- and post-analysis spreadsheet (2.6MB)
Prevention in the management of musculoskeletal conditions: A guide for practice nurses
This useful resource for general practice nurses has been produced to assist in improving the care of people with osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic juvenile arthritis. It is recognised that these conditions are chronic in nature and as such require planned multidisciplinary team care over an extended period of time. Practice nurses are an important part of this team and require clinical and organisational skills to enhance the practice capacity to manage chronic disease care for patients.
Prevention in the management of musculoskeletal conditions: A guide for practice nurses (6MB)
A systems approach to the management of chronic musculoskeletal conditions: A guide for general practice networks
International research has demonstrated that health systems can be redesigned to prevent and manage chronic illness or disease more effectively, including all forms of chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
This guide provides staff in general practice networks with information and resources that will assist practices to improve the care of people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. The guide focuses on the systems required by practices to support the implementation of existing clinical guidelines for the management of these conditions. It acknowledges that practices are unique and have individual resources and capacity to implement systematic chronic disease care.
Related links
Musculoskeletal clinical guidelines
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