Australian GP management

of osteoarthritis following the release of the RACGP guideline for the non-surgical management of hip and knee osteoarthritis Martin Basedow1,2*, Helena Williams3, E. Michael Shanahan2,3, William B. Runciman4,5,6 and Adrian Esterman7,8 Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly disabling and costly condition with an escalating prevalence in Australia due to the ageing and increasing obesity of the population. The general practitioner (GP) plays a central role in the management of this condition. The aim of this study was to examine opinions about the management of OA by Aus-tralian GPs following the release of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Guideline for the non-surgical management of hip and knee OA (RACGP OA CPG), and to compare the results with an earlier survey administered by the National Prescribing Service. Methods: In January 2013, a self-administered questionnaire was sent to 228 GPs to determine their treatment approaches to OA management using a clinical vignette of a patient with OA. This was compared with results from a similar survey undertaken in 2006. Results: Seventy-nine GPs returned questionnaires (response rate 35 %). GP recommendations for paracetamol,