Table 4

Quality indicators on process of care (n=182)

ThemeSubtheme (number of QIs)Healthcare setting and country
History taking and examination (n=32)Regular assessment of functional status and pain (n=9)

  • Primary care in the UK, USA and Norway.40 41 46 48

  • Secondary care in the UK and USA.40 42

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA.31–33

Assessment for assistive devices, appliances and aids (n=6)The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA and Norway.32 33 46
Radiographic assessment (n=3)The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA and one study with unspecified country.33 39 49
Diagnostic aspiration (n=4)

  • Primary care in the USA.41

  • Secondary care in the USA.42

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA and one study with unspecified country.31 49

Inventory of health-related problems (n=4)

  • Primary care; PT care in the Netherlands.44

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in Norway.46

Examination of joint before drug treatment (n=2)

  • Secondary care in the USA.42

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA.33

Health assessment for evaluation of treatment (n=4)Primary care; PT care in the Netherlands44
Education and information (n=22)Information and advice concerning pathology of OA, lifestyle and physical activity formulated in detail (n=9)

  • Primary care; PT care in the Netherlands.44

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in Norway.46

Information concerning joint protection and the use of aids (n=1)Primary care; PT care in the Netherlands44
Advise about medication (n=1)Primary care in the UK.35
Information concerning pathology of OA, treatment and self-management formulated in general (n=10)

  • Primary care in the UK.35 40 48

  • Secondary care in the UK.40

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA, Norway and one study with unspecified country.31 33 38 46 49

Information regarding resources and tools while waiting for an appointment (n=1)Centralised intake care system in Canada34
Exercise therapy (n=25)Exercise therapy, recommendation/prescription for activities, of strengthening, aerobic exercises and functional exercises body functions and walking exercises (n=4)Primary care in the UK and PT care in the Netherlands35 44
Recommendation/prescription (n=15)

  • Primary care in the USA, UK, Mexico and PT care in the Netherlands.4137 40 44

  • Secondary care in the USA and UK.40 42

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA, UK and one study with unspecified country.31–33 38 49

Recommendation of exercise therapy formulated in general (n=2)The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA36 39
Combining exercise therapy with education/self-management interventions, frequency and evaluation, and tailoring exercise therapy to patients’ goals (n=4)The entire spectrum of disciplines, country not specified49
Weight counselling (n=7)Advice about body weight and joint pain (n=7)

  • Primary care in the UK and Mexico.35 37

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA, Norway and one study with unspecified country.33 39 46 49

‘Do not do’ QIs (n=3)No massage therapy, no prescription of a brace and no physical modalities other than TENS (n=3)

  • Primary care; PT care in the Netherlands.43

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines; country not specified.49

Pharmacological treatment (n=51)Paracetamol as first-line pharmacological therapy (n=16)

  • Primary care in the USA, UK, Belgium and Mexico.19 37 40 41 47 48

  • Secondary care in the Netherlands, UK and USA.40 42 45

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA, UK, Norway and one study with unspecified country.31–33 36 38 39 46 49

Trial of maximum-dose acetaminophen before changing from acetaminophen to different oral agent (n=7)

  • Primary care in the UK and USA.40 41 48

  • Secondary care in the USA, UK and the Netherlands.40 42 45

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA.31 33

Prescription of NSAIDs and concomitant with either misoprostol or proton-pump inhibitor (n=15)

  • Primary care in the UK, Belgium and Mexico.19 37 47 48

  • The entire spectrum of discipline in the USA and one study with unspecified country.31 32 49

Informing patients about risks of medication use and screening for side effects (n=8)

  • Primary care in the USA and UK.41 48

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA and Norway.31 32 46

Injection (n=1)The entire spectrum of disciplines in Norway46
No medication use of several drug types, that is, chondroitin and glucosamine-chondroitin and strong pain killers such as opioids (n=4)

  • Primary care in Belgium.47

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA and Norway.46 49

Referrals (n=26)Exercise therapy/programmes/activities (n=5)

  • Primary care in the UK.35

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in Norway and one study with unspecified country.46 49

Weight loss services (n=3)

  • Primary care in the UK.35

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA and Norway.33 46

Orthopaedic surgeon (n=8)

  • Primary care in the UK.19 40 48

  • Secondary care in the UK.40

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA and Norway.31–33 38 46

Laboratory tests (n=1)Primary care in Mexico37
Centralised intake care specific QIs, for example, time from referral to appointment (n=9)Centralised intake care system in Canada34
Indications for surgical treatment (n=4)Indication for knee replacement (n=1)The entire spectrum of disciplines; country not specified49
Unicompartmental knee replacement (n=1)The entire spectrum of disciplines; country not specified49
No arthroscopic interventions of the knee (n=1)The entire spectrum of disciplines; country not specified49
Operating room time (n=1)Centralised intake care system in Canada34
Documentation (n=6)Symptoms, limitations in daily activities, systemic or inflammatory disease, physical examination and use and effectiveness of treatment (n=3)The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA36 39
Presence of systemic or inflammatory disease, and joint trauma or surgery (n=1)The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA39
Problem areas and patient profile (n=2)Primary care; PT care in the Netherlands43
Follow-up, treatment frequency, duration and aftercare (n=6)Follow-up review (n=2)

  • The entire spectrum of disciplines in the USA.39

  • Centralised intake care system in Canada.34

Treatment frequency, number of sessions and duration of treatment episode (n=3)Primary care; PT care in the Netherlands43
Aftercare (eg, home exercise programme) (n=1)Primary care; PT care in the Netherlands43

  • NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; OA, osteoarthritis; PT, physiotherapy; QI, quality indicator; TENS, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.