Tackling chronic musculoskeletal pain in the bush
Getting the right support for musculoskeletal issues shouldn’t be a pain – and CQUniversity researchers are part of a national project to improve treatment options for rural and remote Australians.
The five-year, $2.5 million project is recruiting chiropractors, physiotherapists and their patients across regional Queensland, to join a trial of a new pathway of care which includes access to specialists via tele-health to provide targeted support to patients with back, neck, hip and knee pain.
PAthway of CarE for people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions living in RURAL Australia (PACE-RURAL) is underway across four states, with New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia having already started patient recruitment.
Call for Queensland chiros, physios
It is now Queensland’s turn to provide access to care for those who need it most.
CQUniversity Associate Professor Katie de Luca is a chief investigator on the trial and said improving access to specialist care through tele-health has been developed with clinician, patient and stakeholder involvement.
As a chiropractor in regional NSW, she reports:
“Rural and remote communities face unique challenges, from limited access to specialist care to the additional barriers created by distance and resources.
“Through this project, chiropractors and physiotherapists have the chance to be part of a shared tele-health solution, while also gaining valuable benefits for their own practice – working within multidisciplinary teams is crucial for reducing the burden of musculoskeletal conditions.”
Evidence-based process
In the five-year PACE-RURAL trial, a point-of-care outcome measure helps practitioners understand prospects for recovery and uses evidence-based options for patient management.
Patients likely to recover well are guided to online resources at mypainhub.com, while more complex patients receive early access to a virtual, expert allied health specialist.
The specialist is connected to the patient’s local GP, chiropractor or physiotherapist, to ensure comprehensive healthcare.
PACE-RURAL is creating new opportunities for clinicians across Australia to engage in innovative training, contribute to research, and enhance patient outcomes in rural and remote communities.
Education and implementation training is offered to clinicians after the usual care recruitment phase, with commitment to the trial including recruiting patients from their practice into both the usual care and implementation phases.
Pride in driving change
Chiropractor and CQUniversity research assistant Isabelle Scott has helped drive clinician and patient recruitment for the trial.
“I am passionate about this study because it tackles such an important aspect of primary care in these areas, and I am excited by the possibility for chiropractors to be supported in improving delivery of health services to rural and regional Australians,” she said.
“It has been great to see rural and remote chiropractors getting involved, as a chiropractor myself I take pride in each chiropractor we have involved in the study.
“The training received during the study really is at the forefront of the musculoskeletal care field.”
If you are a chiropractor or physiotherapist and would like to join this trial, please email the research team directly at pace.study@sydney.edu.au .
PACE-RURAL is funded by Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), as part of a $20 million boost to improve primary care and chronic pain treatment, and is led by physiotherapists Professor Trudy Rebbeck from the University of Sydney and Professor Trevor Russell from the University of Queensland.
All other interested people can connect with the project via PACE-RURAL on LinkedIn or through Assoc Prof Katie de Luca at k.deluca@cqu.edu.au.
