Back pain hybrid model aims to ease hospital bed pressure

Led by Associate Professor Gustavo Machado from the University of Sydney, the Back@Home project is designed to support early discharge for older adults who have been admitted to hospital with back pain, allowing them to recover at home — while also freeing up hospital beds. To do this, the project will test a hybrid virtual and in-person care model for adults 65 years and older who have been admitted to hospital with back pain.

“Hospitalisations for back pain have increased every year for the past 10 years and are now estimated to cost the healthcare system $2.2 billion each year. This is around two-thirds of all healthcare spending on back pain,” Machado said. “Older Australians are disproportionately affected by back pain. People aged 65 years and over are three times more likely to be admitted to hospital for back pain than younger adults. They are also vulnerable to complications such as falls, infections and loss of physical function during their hospital stay.”

The project is one of 16 research projects the Australian Government is funding through the Partnership Project Program. The projects will receive a total government investment of $17.3 million, with an additional $27.7 million committed by funding partners. This particular model could, the government said, reduce complications, shorten hospital stays and be scaled nationally.

Incorporating an ‘rpavirtual’ model of care, which sees patients receiving care remotely in their own homes, the trial will be conducted across the Sydney Local Health District. You can learn more about the trial via the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health at www.imh.org.au/back-at-home.

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