How to involve people with MSK conditions in shaping local services

People living with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions tell us that they value and rely heavily on healthcare services, but only just over half are satisfied with the support that they receive. There is so much more to be done to enable everyone to receive optimal healthcare, delivered in the right way at the right time for them.

Here At Versus Arthritis, we believe that an essential ingredient in designing services that deliver the best possible outcomes, patient experience, and value for money, is to involve the people who will use them when shaping them. In recent years there has been a shift in the culture of decision making which means more collaboratively working is starting to take place across the UK. Examples include this community of practice in physiotherapy across Staffordshire (PDF, 219 KB), whilst in Bristol, psychologists have driven a power shift at pain clinics (PDF, 251 KB).

Versus Arthritis has been working alongside people with lived experience of MSK conditions as well as those who shape healthcare. Together we have co-produced a Six Step Guide to Involvement (PDF, 666 KB) to help local healthcare teams involve people with MSK conditions in shaping services from conception to conclusion. We would love to hear what you think of it and may be able to help you locally. Get in touch by emailing healthservicesimprovement@versusarthritis.org.