Photo Credit: TefiM
The following is a summary of “General practitioners experience multi-level barriers to implementing recommended care for hip and knee osteoarthritis: a qualitative study,” published in the December 2024 issue of Primary Care by Gibbs et al.
General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in managing osteoarthritis, but their views on physiotherapist-led programs and triage services remain unknown.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to explore general practitioner perspectives on managing patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis.
They developed interview topic guides based on the theoretical domain framework and conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with GPs. Data were independently coded by at least two researchers and analyzed inductively using thematic analysis, with barrier themes mapped to the socioecological model.
The results showed 2 interrelated themes: GPs had good general knowledge of recommended osteoarthritis care, but they faced multi-level challenges in providing evidence-based care. Nearly all GPs identified exercise as first-line (1L) care and surgery as a last resort. Most were aware that imaging was not needed for diagnosis but were often referred for imaging. Key barriers included patient expectations, lack of motivation, limited knowledge of available services, unaffordable physiotherapy, and long waiting times for public orthopedic appointments. Private health insurance was seen as an enabler.
Investigators identified barriers preventing GPs from implementing guideline-recommended osteoarthritis care and highlighted the need for public health strategies and health system reforms.
Source: bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-024-02658-0
