Epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders
The objective of the CAPHRI programme, ‘Musculoskeletal Disorders’, is to obtain knowledge about the occurrence, prognosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in the transmural setting.
The emphasis is on chronic musculoskeletal disorders that occur frequently, combining research towards etiology, therapy and prognosis. A link with fundamental research will be pursued, or developed, where necessary. Research findings are incorporated into (multi)professional systematic reviews and guidelines, in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine. The programme will also use feedback from implementation and benchmarking research, and develop continuous electronic monitoring of relevant patient groups, therewith providing health care workers with up-to-date information about treatment and cost effectiveness.
Shift
The accent from primary diseases is shifting towards the influence of (multiple)co-morbidities influencing primary, chronic musculoskeletal diseases. More emphasis is also placed on the integration of successful counseling modalities to improve professionals’ behavioural repertoires (via in-person and online training) and also on incorporating online elements that address performance of self management behaviour (e.g. monitoring and feedback) in patients with chronic diseases.
Building multidisciplinary expert networks
In addition, building multidisciplinary expert networks of health professionals that form a transmural perspective deliver care in the chronically ill will be a focus of the programme.