Arthritis and Osteoporosis Service Framework

The BC Ministry of Health Services (MoHS) awarded The Arthritis Society, BC & Yukon Division a grant “to improve arthritis management in BC”.  Arthritis consumers, researchers, health care providers, policy and decision makers, chronic disease management staff from all health regions in BC as well as the MoHS, and representatives from professional associations and industry gathered to develop consensus on the system-wide approaches and changes needed to enhance arthritis care and to identify priority areas that could be addressed by the MoHS grant.

The Arthritis and Osteoporosis Service Framework (AOPSF) provides a patient-centered view of evidence-based and best-practice recommendations to improve patient outcomes and close gaps in care across the health care system in BC for adults with osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoporosis (OP).
 
The Framework is a collaborative effort of The Arthritis Society BC & Yukon Division, the BC Division of Osteoporosis Canada, the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA), regional health representatives, health care providers, BC MoHS and other stakeholders.

Designed with recommendations for
 
• people living with the diseases and caregivers
• health authorities
• family physicians and specialists
• nurses, allied health providers, non-profit organizations and health care stakeholders.

Service Frameworks are an innovative approach to primary health care system planning. They take a longer term perspective and complement frequently updated clinical guidelines and protocols. Service Frameworks present a menu of priority action-oriented, evidence-based recommendations for all stakeholders for the provision of optimal care and improved health outcomes.  To obtain sustainable outcomes, priority action recommendations will be implemented by multiple stakeholders and imbedded in the health care system using the principles of the Expanded Chronic Care Model. 

This page was last reviewed/updated on : 10/20/2008