Biomaterial Database

An integrated care system for musculoskeletal disorders in a managed care setting. 1996

R A Gatter, and B J Klein

Lovelace Health Systems, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA.

Practice guidelines, education, consensus building, and extensive communication were the tools used in developing a musculoskeletal care system. Primary care physicians directed patient care using practice guidelines for common musculoskeletal conditions. Patient education and empowerment were emphasized. Specialist consultations were made available by telephone/voicemail to advise primary care physicians regarding treatment plans and the need for specialty referrals. Significant reductions in medical service utilization for this patient population were achieved while high levels of patient satisfaction were maintained. Such integrated systems are likely to work well within other MCOs.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008329	Managed Care Programs	Health insurance plans intended to reduce unnecessary health care costs through a variety of mechanisms, including: economic incentives for physicians and patients to select less costly forms of care; programs for reviewing the medical necessity of specific services; increased beneficiary cost sharing; controls on inpatient admissions and lengths of stay; the establishment of cost-sharing incentives for outpatient surgery; selective contracting with health care providers; and the intensive management of high-cost health care cases. The programs may be provided in a variety of settings, such as HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS and PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS.	Case Management, Insurance,Insurance Case Management,Managed Health Care Insurance Plans,Managed Care,Care, Managed,Managed Care Program,Management, Insurance Case,Program, Managed Care,Programs, Managed Care
D009140	Musculoskeletal Diseases	Diseases of the muscles and their associated ligaments and other connective tissue and of the bones and cartilage viewed collectively.	Orthopedic Disorders,Musculoskeletal Disease,Orthopedic Disorder
D010353	Patient Education as Topic	The teaching or training of patients concerning their own health needs.	Education of Patients,Education, Patient,Patient Education
D010817	Physician-Patient Relations	The interactions between physician and patient.	Doctor-Patient Relations,Doctor Patient Relations,Physician Patient Relations,Physician Patient Relationship,Doctor Patient Relation,Doctor-Patient Relation,Physician Patient Relation,Physician Patient Relationships,Physician-Patient Relation,Relation, Doctor Patient,Relation, Doctor-Patient,Relation, Physician Patient,Relation, Physician-Patient,Relations, Doctor Patient,Relations, Doctor-Patient,Relations, Physician Patient,Relations, Physician-Patient,Relationship, Physician Patient,Relationships, Physician Patient
D004358	Drug Therapy	The use of DRUGS to treat a DISEASE or its symptoms. One example is the use of ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS to treat CANCER.	Chemotherapy,Pharmacotherapy,Therapy, Drug,Chemotherapies,Drug Therapies,Pharmacotherapies,Therapies, Drug
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D017060	Patient Satisfaction	The degree to which the individual regards the health care service or product or the manner in which it is delivered by the provider as useful, effective, or beneficial.	Satisfaction, Patient
D017116	Low Back Pain	Acute or chronic pain in the lumbar or sacral regions, which may be associated with musculo-ligamentous SPRAINS AND STRAINS; INTERVERTEBRAL DISK DISPLACEMENT; and other conditions.	Lumbago,Low Back Ache,Low Back Pain, Mechanical,Low Back Pain, Posterior Compartment,Low Back Pain, Postural,Low Back Pain, Recurrent,Low Backache,Lower Back Pain,Mechanical Low Back Pain,Postural Low Back Pain,Recurrent Low Back Pain,Ache, Low Back,Aches, Low Back,Back Ache, Low,Back Aches, Low,Back Pain, Low,Back Pain, Lower,Back Pains, Low,Back Pains, Lower,Backache, Low,Backaches, Low,Low Back Aches,Low Back Pains,Low Backaches,Lower Back Pains,Pain, Low Back,Pain, Lower Back,Pains, Low Back,Pains, Lower Back
D017410	Practice Guidelines as Topic	Works about directions or principles presenting current or future rules of policy for assisting health care practitioners in patient care decisions regarding diagnosis, therapy, or related clinical circumstances. The guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by the convening of expert panels. The guidelines form a basis for the evaluation of all aspects of health care and delivery.	Clinical Guidelines as Topic,Best Practices,Best Practice