Each partner institution of the Swiss Learning Health System (SLHS) is working on a specific topic that will lead to policy briefs and stakeholder dialogues.
Knee Osteoarthritis Management in Switzerland
International clinical guidelines for the conservative management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) recommend exercise, education, and weight control as first-line treatment for all people with knee OA. However, findings from various health care settings have identified an underuse of exercise and education. A recent survey among medical specialists in Switzerland identified an evidence-performance gap, implying that the strong evidence in favour of exercise is not being transferred into clinical practice. This Policy Brief describes the challenges facing the improvement of conservative disease management by presenting recommendations regarding:
i) translation of guideline recommendations into a specific exercise and education programme,
ii) facilitation of the systematic application of exercise through standardized treatment pathways, and
iii) promotion of the benefits of exercise in the long-term management of chronic diseases.
Stakeholder(s): Representatives from research and practice
SLHS Lead: Institute of Physiotherapy, ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)
Author: Lea Ettlin, Karin Niedermann
Policy Brief: Download PDF
Key Messages: English, French, Italian
Summary of Stakeholder Dialogue: Download PDF