In a sign of the strength of the Kolling Institute’s research and clinical capabilities, Professor Trudy Rebbeck has been awarded a $2.5 million grant to offer a musculoskeletal care program in rural and remote parts of Australia.
As a Professor of Allied Health and a physiotherapist, Trudy will lead the collaborative project involving University of Sydney, NSLHD and Kolling Institute researchers Michael Nicholas, Ian Cameron, Annette Kifley and Claire Ashton-James.
She is excited to launch the initiative which has been funded as part of a $20 million boost for improved primary care and chronic pain treatment.
Trudy said an increasing number of people are experiencing chronic musculoskeletal conditions like back, neck pain and arthritis, but few people in rural and regional areas are being offered evidence-informed care involving good advice and an exercise plan.
“We know that people in these communities have poorer access to appropriate care and ultimately poorer musculoskeletal health,” she said.
“Our large-scale program, named PACE RURAL, will be offered across the country for the first time, providing a high quality and yet low-cost solution.”
It will involve a simple online tool at the point of care to identify people who may recover well and those who may not. Those who are likely to recover well can be guided by the online resource (Mypainhub.com) which provides accurate advice and exercises to aid recovery.
People needing extra care will receive early virtual access to an expert allied health clinician.
The allied-health specialist will work with the local GP through an advanced assessment of risk factors and develop an individualised treatment plan.
“For many people living in rural and remote parts of Australia, one of the biggest challenges is access to specialised healthcare, so we hope that through this program, we will broaden access to evidenced-based, effective care and importantly, improve long-term musculoskeletal health,” she said.
“We know from our work in metropolitan regions that increasing support from allied-health clinicians delivers better health outcomes for higher risk individuals, so we expect this project will now provide a cost-effective solution in rural and remote Australia too.”