. 2021 Oct 9;3(4):100218. doi: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2021.100218

Table 3.

Key study findings and recommendations for practice.

Key study findings	Recommendations for practice
GPs and surgeons had an evidence-based understanding of OA. Some GPs report always using imaging to support their OA diagnosis. Conservative management was highly supported by GPs and surgeons, but barriers exist. Treatment barriers include: • Managing poor patient understanding of OA. • Unrealistic expectations for treatment. • Lack of patient motivation and scepticism towards exercise. • Cost and accessibility of conservative treatment options, particularly access to allied health professionals. • Poor patient understanding and expectations of surgery. Some GPs refer ‘early’ to surgery because of long elective surgery wait lists.	Education and resources for practitioners about: • Patient directed OA education programs/opportunities. • Appropriate use of imaging for OA diagnosis. • Use of ‘first-line’ conservative management prior to surgical referral. Increased patient education about OA through: • Improved visibility and awareness of local OA management programs. • Lower out-of-pocket costs for patients. Improved reimbursement models supporting conservative management through: • New funding models (public and private) that support exercise for OA management. Enhanced accessibility and awareness about OA conservative management programs.

Key study findings

Recommendations for practice

GPs and surgeons had an evidence-based understanding of OA.
Some GPs report always using imaging to support their OA diagnosis.
Conservative management was highly supported by GPs and surgeons, but barriers exist.
Treatment barriers include:

•
Managing poor patient understanding of OA.
•
Unrealistic expectations for treatment.
•
Lack of patient motivation and scepticism towards exercise.
•
Cost and accessibility of conservative treatment options, particularly access to allied health professionals.
•
Poor patient understanding and expectations of surgery.

Some GPs refer ‘early’ to surgery because of long elective surgery wait lists.

Education and resources for practitioners about:

•
Patient directed OA education programs/opportunities.
•
Appropriate use of imaging for OA diagnosis.
•
Use of ‘first-line’ conservative management prior to surgical referral.

Increased patient education about OA through:

•
Improved visibility and awareness of local OA management programs.
•
Lower out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Improved reimbursement models supporting conservative management through:

•
New funding models (public and private) that support exercise for OA management.

Enhanced accessibility and awareness about OA conservative management programs.