Orthopaedic waitlist programme trial begins

Physiotherapy student Aman Riar, patient Gerald Crawford and Senior Physiotherapist Martin Kidd
Physiotherapy student Aman Riar, patient Gerald Crawford and Senior Physiotherapist Martin Kidd
Suitable patients with osteoarthritis who are waiting for surgery have been given the opportunity to take part in a trial of a new programme which supports patients while they wait.

Fourteen patients started the programme last month in Dunedin and are attending six, one and a half hour sessions.

The programme has been made possible by a team of enthusiastic clinicians led by Senior Physiotherapist, Martin Kidd.

Martin along with six physiotherapy students are facilitating the programme. The patient centred sessions include education about their condition, lifestyle and treatment including pain management education, consideration of environmental adaptations in the home and workplace, and the use of equipment if needed.

“Participants are given their own personalised exercise programme and continue this at home. Following the completion of the programme all assessments/outcome measures carried before the patients started the programme will be repeated, at a follow
up one-to-one session,” says Martin.

“There is a long wait list for this type of surgery and we want to help patients manage their condition during this time. This is the first time the DHB has run this type of programme in Dunedin, and we really want to see it make a difference to patients.”

 

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