Quality standard
Quality statement 3: Information and support
Quality statement 3: Information and support
Quality statement
Adults with osteoarthritis are given information about their condition and its management at diagnosis and follow-up appointments.
Rationale
Providing information and advice about osteoarthritis and its management supports adults to develop a greater understanding of the condition, its development over time and how to manage it. Tailored information on management, based on the person's symptoms and physical function, and taking into account any other long-term or ongoing conditions, can also support shared decision making and self‑management strategies. Adults with osteoarthritis can also use advice on how to access additional sources of information after the consultation to provide ongoing support. Information can help them to actively participate in their care, and improve patient experience.
Quality measures
The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.
Structure
Evidence of local arrangements to ensure that adults with osteoarthritis are given information on their condition and its management at diagnosis and follow-up appointments.
Data source: Evidence can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, from service specifications.
Process
a) Proportion of adults newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis with a record of having received information about their condition and its management.
Numerator – the number in the denominator with a record of having received information about osteoarthritis and its management.
Denominator – the number of adults newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, from patient records.
b) Proportion of adults with osteoarthritis with a record of having received information about their condition and its management at follow-up appointments.
Numerator – the number in the denominator with a record of having received information about osteoarthritis and its management.
Denominator – the number of adults with osteoarthritis who attended a follow-up appointment.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, from patient records.
What the quality statement means for different audiences
Service providers (GPs and community healthcare providers) ensure that processes are in place so that adults with osteoarthritis are given tailored information to support self‑management strategies. This should comprise information and advice about the condition, how it changes over time, core treatments, where to access further information on topics such as managing symptoms and specific types of exercise, and how to access additional sources of information.
Healthcare professionals give adults with osteoarthritis tailored information and advice to support self-management strategies. This should cover the condition, how it changes over time and of core treatments, where to access further information on topics such as managing symptoms and specific types of exercise, and how to access additional sources of information.
Commissioners ensure that they commission services in which adults with osteoarthritis are given tailored information about their condition. They should ensure that services have local arrangements in place to provide support, including services provided by the voluntary sector.
Adults with osteoarthritis are given tailored information and advice about their condition and its management, and are told where they can find further information, for example, about specific exercises, and support. This helps them to manage their condition, including improving their symptoms and quality of life.
Source guidance
Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG226 (2022), recommendations 1.2.1 to 1.2.3
Definitions of terms used in this quality statement
Information about osteoarthritis and its management
Explain that:
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management should be guided by symptoms and physical function
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the core treatments are therapeutic exercise and weight management (if appropriate), along with information and support.
Advice should include sources of further information on:
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osteoarthritis and how it develops (including flares and progression over time), and information that challenges common misconceptions about the condition
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specific types of exercise
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managing their symptoms
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how to access additional sources of information and support after consultations, such as peer-to-peer support and support groups
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benefits and limitations of treatment.
The information should be delivered in a way to:
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enable patients to actively participate in their care
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put shared decision making into practice
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take account of multimorbidity.
The information given, as defined above, should be tailored to individual needs and abilities. [Adapted from NICE's guideline on osteoarthritis in over 16s, recommendations 1.2.1 to 1.2.3]
Equality and diversity considerations
Healthcare professionals should take into account cultural and communication needs (including any learning disabilities) when providing information and support for adults with osteoarthritis. This should include providing printed information for people who cannot access information online and providing information in accessible large print and easy read formats where required. For adults with additional needs related to a disability, impairment or sensory loss, information should be provided as set out in NHS England's Accessible Information Standard or the equivalent standards for the devolved nations.
Not all people will want to self‑manage osteoarthritis or be able to do so, and healthcare professionals should identify people who may need additional support.