The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) in collaboration with Pfizer, has updated and expanded OACareTools, an online toolkit that aims to reduce the burden of this disease.

OACareTools contains 21 new tools and resources customized for three primary groups:

  • Employer representatives such as business leaders, benefits/wellness consultants, human resource representatives, and occupational health providers.
  • Healthcare providers in primary care, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, physical/occupational therapists, sports medicine professionals, athletic trainers, and fitness professionals.
  • Adults and employees with osteoarthritis.

Educational Modules and Tools

Employer representatives can help reduce the burden of OA by expanding their knowledge of OA and its management; implementing arthritis-friendly benefit plans, workplace policies, and wellness and safety initiatives; and sharing resources with employees. OACareTools contains nine self-paced educational modules to expand employers’ knowledge of OA and help them support adults with arthritis in self-management strategies. OACareTools also includes customized tools and resources, such as:

  1. OA facts & figures – Employer representatives can gain knowledge of OA signs and symptoms, workplace risks, management and prevention strategies, and financial costs.
  2. Arthritis-inclusive workplaces – Employer representatives can learn how to reduce the economic and personal burden of OA through benefit plan designs, workplace policies and programs, and wellness and safety initiatives that are based on recommended treatment strategies.
  3. OA prevention – Employer representatives can discover strategies to help employees manage both OA and body weight, two interconnected conditions.

Visit OACareTools for a complete listing and description of resources. In addition, the Adult and Employee page lists resources that employers can make available to their employees. A few examples of employee resources include:

  • Osteoarthritis in the workplace – Employers can display a poster showing an overview of OA, what the workplace risks of OA are, and how OA can be managed within the workplace.
  • OA signs and symptoms – Employers can share a video and postcard with employees to provide information about OA and tips for managing joint pain in the workplace.
  • Evidence-based programs – This handout helps employees learn about physical activity and self-management education programs that may be available in their community for adults with OA.
  • Getting started with physical activity – This worksheet includes recommendations and guidance to help employees develop their own physical activity plans.

[Source(s): Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, Newswise]