Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease and so will often be encountered in general practice. General practice nurses (GPNs) may see people for OA within their triage or ‘minor illness’ clinics. They may also see people who have OA as a comorbidity along with other long term conditions such as diabetes or respiratory disease. Having OA can complicate the care of these patients as it impacts on their ability to keep active. The need for painkilling medication may also have an impact on other drugs prescribed for long term conditions such as asthma and diabetes. This resource, consisting of five assessment questions at intermediate level, tests your knowledge of the diagnosis and management of osteoarthritis based on national guidance. Complete the resource, including completing the further reading and some or all of the activities, to obtain a certificate for one hour of continuing professional development to include in your annual portfolio. Aims and objectivesOn completion of this resource, you should have an understanding of:
Recommended readingArthritis Research UK. Understanding arthritis: a parliamentary guide to musculoskeletal health. Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance, 2012 Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance. Standards of care for people with osteoarthritis, 2004. https://arma.uk.net/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/oa06.pdf Department of Health. The Musculoskeletal Services Framework: A joint responsibility, doing it differently, 2006 NICE CG 177. Osteoarthritis: care management in adults, 2014 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG177 Practice Nurse featured articlesThe challenge of managing osteoarthritis in primary care Sarah Ryan Prescribing analgesics: a step by step approach Dr Mandy Fry Opioid induced bowel dysfunction Mandy Galloway and Rachel Booker Education for Health coursesAssessing and managing joint pain problems in primary care – the knee |
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