Osteoarthritis management: Does the pharmacist play a role in bridging the gap between what patients actually know and what they ought to know? Insights from a national online survey

Abstract

Background: Guidelines encourage engagement in self-care activities for osteoarthritis (OA), but there are gaps in consumers' knowledge about suitable choices for self-care. Community pharmacists are in an ideal position to contribute to OA management through screening and supporting evidence-based pain management choices. Prior research established an association between health literacy and advice-seeking and appropriateness of analgesics choices (both lower in participants with limited health literacy) amongst people living with OA. This article explores the implications of these data for pharmacists in OA management.Methods: A national online survey was conducted amongst 628 adults aged 45-74 years, currently residing in Australia, with self-reported symptoms of OA. All data were collected using a customized online questionnaire, which was completed only once. 'Self-reported symptoms of OA' was based on six validated screening questions to identify people with OA without a formal clinical diagnosis.Results: Respondents matched the typical profile of people diagnosed with OA; more than half were female (56%), knees (59%) and hips (31%) were the primary affected joints and 74% were either overweight or obese. Self-identification of OA was limited (41%). Overall, 38% self-managed their pain, and limited health literacy was associated with less advice-seeking. Efficacy and ease of use were the main reasons cited for prompting use across all classes of nonprescription analgesic, with

Osteoarthritis Literacy and Equity Issues: A Post COVID-19 Analysis and Update

“…As such, even if research is limited, an older adult with osteoarthritis may arguably suffer unduly because they are challenged in understanding what they need to do or why in order to remain in the community, rather than residing in a nursing home where their self-care role will be of less importance. As such, it appears reasonable to assert that if providers fail to appreciate COVID-19 implications, as well as the past social histories and ability to comprehend health messages of their older osteoarthritis clients, the capacity of the client for carrying out home based remedial approaches effectively and safely may be jeopardized [33,34,42] too challenged to decipher their health recommendations, or to contact their providers and seek advice, for example if they have limited feelings of confidence, or limited English language skills [36]. It appears therefore that a fair number of older adults with osteoarthritis may consequently fail to flourish even if they receive needed care if they fail to fully appreciate the importance of their lifestyle actions that are proven disease and disability predictors.…”

Co-development and testing of an extended community pharmacy model of service delivery for managing osteoarthritis: protocol for a sequential, multi-methods study (PharmOA)

“…UK policy recommendations to integrate pharmacists into LTC pathways and national workforce initiatives have promoted community pharmacy roles [16,17]. Community pharmacist roles have extended over the last twenty years beyond just supplying medicines and managing medicines-related problems into more 'cognitive services' that includes medicines optimisation [17][18][19][20][21]. Their role is now recognised as "supporting people with LTCs to improve their quality of life, health and wellbeing and to lead as independent a life as possible by supporting self-care" [22].…”

“…Given current government initiatives to enhance contact with pharmacies, supporting community pharmacy services to deliver better care to people with osteoarthritis is logical and needed. Similar initiatives are currently being explored in other countries [23][24][25], however, the expected role of community pharmacies in delivering osteoarthritis care, necessary support or pathways to provide this care, and patient and public awareness of the breadth of community pharmacy roles are not well understood/established in the United Kingdom [20,21]. Specifically, little is known about: what an enhanced community pharmacy role for osteoarthritis care should include, what support is needed to fulfil such a role, and whether it would be feasible to deliver and acceptable to community pharmacy teams.…”

Knee osteoarthritis and the knowledgeable, trustworthy pharmacist: Patient and pharmacist perceptions of community pharmacy‐based education and support

“…Community pharmacy is increasingly viewed as a site for effective health interventions, such as health education, medication reviews, and vaccination. Greater utilisation of community pharmacy has been proposed as an opportunity to improve OA care (Briggs et al, 2018;McLachlan et al, 2022). A trial of pharmacist initiated care for knee OA in Canada found that this was effective and cost-effective (Marra et al, 2012(Marra et al, , 2014.…”