Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) and the Australian Healthcare System

For Practioners – Allied Health

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) and the Australian Healthcare System

Australian’s living with FMS like those of all chronic illnesses are benefiting from the Australian health services reform initiatives to reduce the impact of chronic illness on individuals, their families and the community.

Australian Integrated Management (GP Allied Health Continuous Care)

Good health outcomes are possible.

Effective management of Fibromyalgia (FMS) starts with a correct early diagnosis followed by an individual management program that includes an integrated combination of the following:

· Education,

· Lifestyle adjustment self management

· Medication – Mechanism–specific neuromodulatory

· Pain, Sleep and Stress reviews & management,

· Exercise/Movement

· Psychosocial interventions

Medicare Australia Allied health care plans

Medicare Australia provides funding under the chronic condition General Practice team care and care planning arrangements. Allied Healthor Primary Care.

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National Chronic Disease Strategy (Dept. Of Health, 2005)

‘provides the overarching framework of national direction for improving chronic disease prevention and care across Australia’. Piii

In the last ten years the Australian healthcare system has increasingly focused on the better management of chronic diseases through an integrated multidisciplinary primary healthcare management approach (Dept H & A Website page). The Government is working together with patients, disease organisations and providers to promote good health and reduce the burden of chronic disease.

To complement these service reforms there are new and better funding arrangements through Medicare funding, the setting up of GP Plus Health Care Centres, Allied health team care arrangements, and the Australian Better Health Initiative.

The Australian Better Health Initiative includes the following priority areas:

· promoting healthy lifestyles

· supporting early detection of risk factors and chronic disease

· supporting lifestyle and risk modification

· encouraging active patient self management of chronic conditions

· improving the communication and coordination between care services.

For people with Fibromyalgia, the Australian Collaboration Project for Fibromyalgia Best Practice & Education has been developing an illness specific National Action Plan Framework for Fibromyalgia.

The National Action Plan Framework for Fibromyalgia also has five key areas:

· early intervention and diagnosis

· prevention or minimising disability and losses

· active management and continuity of care through the different stages of a person’s life

· maintaining lifestyle and positive health outcomes

· better communication and partnerships with providers

These will be evaluated consistent with the priority areas of the National Chronic Disease Strategy and Australian Better Health Initiative.

Chronic Disease Self Management Initative (2000-2005)

One of the core strategies of the National Chronic Disease Management Initiatives (Dept. Of Health Website) has been the rollout and evaluation of the Sharing Care / Stanford Chronic Disease Self Management Program (Arthritis South Australia).

In tandem with this, the Australian FMS Collaboration Project link to section on this has been:

1. monitoring the outcomes of people with FMS participating in these generic programs and developing Fibromyalgia Specific Education add-on Modules for those affected by FMS. These programs are provided within a quality framework and are evaluated for changes in patient outcomes and key performance indicators.

2. piloting integrated management and care plans (One to One) for clients, consistent with Australian General Practice Allied Health Medicare arrangements.

Feedback on Management, Information and Service Gaps

The Australian Collaboration Project for Fibromyalgia Best Practice and Education welcomes your feedback and suggestions so that we can all work together to provide up-to-date information to the Government, service providers, and researchers to improve the daily care of Australians living with Fibromyalgia. Contact .

18/07/12