Researchers at the Kolling Institute have received a remarkable $2.6 million Medical Research Future Fund grant for a large-scale project to reduce low-value care for people living with knee osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With millions of Australians living with the painful condition, it costs the health system an estimated $4.3 billion each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Led by Dr Jillian Eyles and Professor David Hunter, the project will test a practical approach to help health professionals provide the right care at the right time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although clinical guidelines recommend education, exercise and weight management as the most effective first steps, two in three Australians with osteoarthritis do not receive this care. Instead, they\u2019re referred for unnecessary scans and arthroscopic knee procedures with little benefit and potential harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This study will support GPs and physiotherapists in areas of Australia where unnecessary procedures are more common, giving them tools and practical support to confidently deliver evidence-based care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Education, resources and support will be offered, while surgery rates, imaging and specialist referrals will be tracked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Jillian Eyles said the project is about improving both patient experience and health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe know that for many people, the journey into unnecessary osteoarthritis care starts with a scan. That scan can lead to referrals and procedures that don\u2019t necessarily improve pain or function,\u201d Dr Eyles said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe believe we can reduce the burden of painful knee osteoarthritis in Australia by making some simple, practical changes to how it is diagnosed and managed. If we can support clinicians to feel confident diagnosing knee osteoarthritis without unnecessary imaging – and support patients to understand and feel comfortable with that approach – we can begin to interrupt that pathway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor David Hunter said the heart of the project lies in restoring confidence in evidence-based care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExercise, education and weight management are proven to help people live well with osteoarthritis. Yet too often, these are overlooked in favour of quick fixes that don\u2019t address the underlying issue,\u201d Professor Hunter said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis study is about backing our clinicians with the tools they need to deliver best-practice care and empowering patients to expect and ask for that care. If we get this right, we won\u2019t just reduce unnecessary procedures; we\u2019ll improve mobility, reduce pain and help people stay active and independent for longer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The grant success was made possible by early philanthropic seed funding from the Girgensohn Foundation, which enabled the team to generate the preliminary evidence required to secure national investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Eyles said we are deeply grateful to the Girgensohn Foundation and the NORTH Foundation for believing in this approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTheir support helped us build the foundations needed to attract this national funding. It\u2019s a powerful example of how philanthropy can deliver change at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n