OsteoArthritis Service Integration System
2007
The Vancouver West Side Clinic, located at UBC Hospital, opens for referrals from family doctors, rheumatologists, and surgeons. The website and the Listing of Community Services are launched.
Timeline
- September 28, 2006
The first patient is seen at the Vancouver West Side Clinic. The clinic is only open for referrals from a small number of family doctors and surgeons while we test our tools and processes.
- January, 2006
The implementation team is assembled and begins to develop the OASIS program. They are hiring staff for the regional office and the clinics; creating the website; and working with partners, family doctors, surgeons, and rheumatologists to develop and refine the program’s tools and processes.
The Beginning
The OASIS program is the first of its kind in British Columbia. Before OASIS there were no programs that coordinated care for people with osteoarthritis. Based on consultations with people who have osteoarthritis, care givers, and family doctors, OASIS was developed to meet the follow needs:
- There was no one source of information for people with osteoarthritis and it required a lot of time and effort to research resources and support services.
- Many people did not have the information they needed to self-manage their osteoarthritis.
- Many of the resources, services, and education programs that were available were for people after they had surgery. Very little information was available about prevention, non-surgical options, and pre-operative care.
- People with multiple health problems and those who have trouble speaking and understanding English often had problems accessing care when and where they needed it.
OASIS will help people with osteoarthritis by linking them with the information, education and support they need to live well at every stage of the disease.
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