Authors: (including presenting author): :
Ho YKY(1), Sin YHK(1), Luk LMM(1), Chow TKR(1), Ma HMB(1), Ko SH(2), Li WSV(2), Choi CMC(2), Chan CMA(1)
Affiliation: :
(1)Physiotherapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
(2)Department of Family Medicine & Primary Healthcare, Kowloon Central Cluster
Keyword 3: :
Rehabilitation
Keyword 4: :
Physiotherapy
Keyword 5: :
Primary Healthcare
Introduction: :
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) affects approximately 7% of the population1 and the prevalence is increased in aging population. KOA patients suffer from pain, impaired physical function, resulting in lower quality of life2. Patients’ engagement with home exercises and self-management remains essential. An enhanced hybrid care model of TeleHealth and onsite physiotherapy program was implemented in Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic (YMTFMC) in 2025.
Objectives: :
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the enhanced model in improving pain and functional outcomes in KOA patients.
Methodology: :
A retrospective service review was conducted for the enhanced model and conventional model at YMTFMC. Patients aged 55 or above with KOA were recruited. For the enhanced model, two onsite PT sessions and one TeleHealth session were provided. During the TeleHealth session, physiotherapists checked the accuracy of patient’s home exercise and provided modification advice regarding home environment. Concurrently, physiotherapists provided preliminary environmental screening to identify potential fall risks and modification advice if indicated. For the conventional model, three to four onsite PT sessions with conventional treatment were provided. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were assessed at initial session and upon discharge for both models. Exercise compliance was evaluated via the HA Go for the enhanced model.
Result & Outcome: :
Thirty-four and twenty patients were involved for the enhanced model and conventional model respectively. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in NPRS and KOOS. There was no significant difference between the enhanced model and conventional model. For the enhanced model, significant improvements were shown in NPRS (*p< 0.001), KOOS-Pain (*p=0.007), KOOS-Physical Function (*p=0.046) and KOOS-Quality of Life (*p=0.023) with exercise compliance exceeding 80% for all patients. This review demonstrated that the enhanced model achieved comparable effects with the conventional model with less PT sessions. It is effective in reducing pain, and improving functional outcomes in KOA patients. Incorporating TeleHealth PT service in primary healthcare setting allows us to better utilize resources and maintain sustainability of primary healthcare service in accommodating the increasing service demand. TeleHealth could optimize home-based training and provide preliminary home environment screening for fall prevention. Looking ahead, the enhanced model may serve as a reference service model for community-based physiotherapy in District Health Centres.
