RACGP Launches Guidelines — Management of Arthritis
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has launched three comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for better management of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
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Joint Release
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing
The Hon Justine Elliot MP
Minister for Ageing
11 September 2009The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) will today launch three comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for better management of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Australia.
The Australian Government has invested more than $1 million under the Better Arthritis and Osteoporosis Care initiative to develop four clinical practice guidelines, with a guideline for the management of osteoporosis due later this year.
The guidelines have been developed to assist GPs and other primary care health professionals in effectively managing and diagnosing patients with arthritic conditions.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of chronic arthritis in Australia and is the tenth most commonly managed problem in general practice.
Chronic arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions affect more than 3.6 million Australians and cause severe pain, mobility restriction and functional impairment, as well as having an impact on mental health and quality of life.
The Rudd Government will this year invest almost $30 million for research in to arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
Last financial year an estimated $268 million of PBS expenditure was for specific arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions medications.
The RACGP guidelines are endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and focus on short-term care, long-term care planning and management, and coordination of multidisciplinary care needs.
The Rudd Government has also allocated a further $1.3 million to the RACGP and the Rural Health Education Foundation to assist with disseminating and promoting the uptake of the guidelines.
Media contact:
Minister Roxon’s Office - 02 6277 7220
Minister Elliot’s Office – 02 6277 7280
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