Transforming osteoarthritis care in an era of health care reform

Abstract

This article describes the dysfunctional delivery of existing conservative care practices in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) within the context of a dynamic environment of health reform. It is written from the patient perspective of one of the authors who is afflicted with OA and with the added clinical view of a rheumatologist. The authors envision benefits of more cost-effective care, a decrease in the impact of chronic illness on the financial viability of the United States, and an improvement in the quality of care provided to patients. These benefits can be achieved with tested innovations organized within the integrated delivery system described in this article.