Evaluation Arthrosetherapie 2.0

In Austria, osteoarthritis is a common cause of physical limitations and disabilities. Around 35,000 joint prostheses are implanted every year, putting the country in fifth place in the OECD in terms of knee and hip prosthesis care. Although international recommendations and current guidelines provide for comprehensive conservative care prior to knee arthrosis surgery, there is no corresponding program in Austria. In order to close this gap, the Lower Austrian Health and Social Fund (NÖGUS), the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) and the Insurance Institution for Public Employees, Railways and Mining (BVAEB) are jointly financing a pilot project by the David Institute Krems to implement an orthopaedic program for knee osteoarthritis patients. The Center for Evaluation is evaluating the project on the basis of the evaluation plan "New approaches to osteoarthritis care" and aims to answer evaluation questions related to the implementation of AT-2.0 (core elements of the program, patient adherence), related to targeted outcomes for referring physicians and patients (informedness, increased competence, reduction in the need for assistance and care) and related to targeted outcomes in the care system (optimization of the time of surgery). This project will be implemented with funds from the Lower Austrian Health and Social Fund (NÖGUS).