The Bone and Joint Decade (BJD) recognizes that lifestyle and healthy living such as exercise and weight management are central to the management of joint pain. As a follow-up to the world network conference held in Washington, D.C., in 2009, the BJD is moving forward with developing programs that take the initiatives of the decade forward.

With financial support from GSK Consumer Healthcare, the BJD is developing a global self-help program. The aim of the program is to educate people with joint pain on how to use a combination of clinically proven self-help techniques to actively manage their joint pain and improve their quality of life. Through the provision of education and information, the program intends to motivate and enable people to self-manage their pain.

The BJD is seeking information from healthcare providers, including orthopaedic surgeons, about the treatment of joint pain. The short, seven-question online survey should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. Responses will be used in helping to create a unique program that can be individualized and will be used long-term by both healthcare professionals and patients with joint pain.

Input is being sought from individuals ranging from primary care physicians and rheumatologists to orthopaedic surgeons, from pharmacists and physiotherapists to patient support group representatives from around the world. Through the sharing of experiences and ideas, the BJD hopes to define the appropriate core content and delivery concepts for a global program.

To access the questionnaire, visit www.bjdonline.org/default.aspx?contid=2060