Care Model

O Spine’s unique care model

O Spine provides a fresh approach to management of spinal conditions in the community. Our proprietary model of patient care improves clinical assessment and diagnosis through the following principles:

  • A focus on spinal pathology
  • Specialist training and education of staff
  • Emphasis on objective and comprehensive assessment
  • Early use of diagnostic testing including imaging
  • Early referral for patients not responding adequately to conservative management
  • Evidence-based treatment techniques
  • Objective measurement of outcomes

What is The O Spine difference

O Spine treatment is driven by an accurate diagnosis.

A key aspect of O Spine’s benefit is that our allied health providers have undergone specialist training to provide a comprehensive assessment of the patient, not only to identify the type of clinical presentation, but to reach an accurate diagnosis of their condition.

This may include recommending or ordering particular investigations, and interpretation of these results.

Some cases require early specialist assessment. Others may be best treated with physiotherapy in combination with other therapies. 

An accurate diagnosis guiding the best evidence-based management is the best way for our patients to return to health.

Standard assessment, tailored treatment

An accurate assessment and diagnosis allow treatment to be tailored to the patient. The decision-making process for assessment and diagnosis are standardised through O Spine’s pathways.

Once a diagnosis is established, our patients are provided with the best treatment options, guided by the latest evidence, and tailored for their circumstances.

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What assessments will be undertaken by O Spine to diagnose adverse spinal health?

Assessment of the spine will include:

  • General medical history and a history of the presenting illness or injury.
  • Patient reported measures: e.g., Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and a pain score.
  • An examination of sensory and motor function to identify deficits.
  • Directed examination to exclude other diagnoses such as osteoarthritis of the hip.

What will the results of the assessment determine?

The result of this assessment should then determine whether:

  • There is any nerve involvement and if so, what are the next steps and how urgently do they need to be addressed.
  • There are any other possible urgent diagnoses that require investigation to be confirmed or excluded.
  • There any other contributing factors that can be managed to improve the condition (e.g. ergonomic factors such as work and lifestyle postures that can be improved).
  • There are any signs of serious pathology that require urgent investigation and management

What are the possible treatments that will be recommended?

As a result of the assessment an O Spine treatment plan is prescribed which is tailored to the patient and takes into account their physical health and abilities. Alternatively, a patient may be referred for investigation with further assessment or rapid specialist assessment.

The clinical outcome is recorded to determine the success, or otherwise, of treatment. There are clear pathways for investigation or referral should a patient’s condition not improve.

All of these steps are standardised within the O Spine care model and form part of an assessment algorithm and treatment pathway. Formalisation of these pathways, with staff well trained in their application, is a key aspect of O Spine’s offering to patients and their referrers.

What is the goal of the O Spine care model?

The O Spine care model is designed to bridge the gap between allied health and medical providers. This is important to address the fragmentation of health care provision by encouraging close collaboration between allied health providers within O Spine and the patient’s usual medical practitioners – whether the patient is referred or self-referred.

In addition, by working closely with a range of specialists, the O Spine team are able to tailor the treatment of patients, not only to their condition but also to the requirements and recommendations of the specialist. This is particularly important in the care of post-operative patients.

What is the difference at an O Spine clinic?

At O Spine, care will be provided in a dedicated clean, organised, and bright environment with modern equipment and technology. Patient privacy is an important part of our focus, particularly when patients are being assessed and providing a medical history. O Spine will provide an environment which includes a combination of private consultation and treatment rooms as well as an open gym area for treatment and exercise. 

What is O Spine’s clinical outcome assessment?

Measuring outcomes is key to understanding progress and successful treatment, whether it be conservative management or surgery. All patients are assessed in terms of the severity of their condition on referral. Using technology as well as patient reported outcome measures means patients and their referring doctors can monitor their progress and outcome.

In addition to the provision of care, O Spine provide objective and independent pre-operative and post-operative assessments. These are tailored to the specific procedure being undertaken and may include the use of patient reported scores such as the Oswestry Disability Index and pain scoring, as well as objective measurements such as range of motion and strength. Following pre and post operative assessments a detailed report is provided to the referring practitioner containing both subjective and objective measures that can be used for research as well other reporting.