Musculoskeletal Medicine
Musculoskeletal Medicine is an important and developing medical discipline dealing with problems affecting the neuro-musculoskeletal system. It is recognised by the Medical Council of New Zealand as a Vocational Branch of Medicine, and so is a genuine career path for those interested in the discipline. Most patients with such problems present with acute or chronic pain. Patients with musculoskeletal problems constitute between 15% and 20% of a general practitioner's caseload (Reference). Those with back, neck and overuse problems impose a significant social and economic burden on the community.
Musculoskeletal Medicine has its origin in, and is based on the medical principles developed by Hippocrates. The Hippocratic method foreshadowed the scientific approach to medical problems with emphasis on holding a broad perspective and co-ordinating honest evaluation of treatment outcomes. These emphases are currently identified with the biopsychosocial model, and evidence-based medicine (EBM).
The Musculoskeletal approach aims to integrate current biomedical and psychosocial knowledge and skills. Clinical practice involves the evaluation and the therapeutic management of these problems based on our current understanding of EBM.
Therapeutic skills include the appropriate use of manual medicine, injections and needling, pharmacological therapeutics, psychosocial and behavioural management, and appropriate referral. Developments in pain research during the past 25 years have led to dramatic changes in the way individuals with musculoskeletal pain problems are managed.
This postgraduate education programme in Musculoskeletal Medicine reflects the expanding knowledge of pain control mechanisms, including cognitive behavioural managements, as well as biomedical advances.
The content of the courses is continually being updated, and there is ongoing commitment of the staff involved in the teaching programmes to maintaining a balance between basic and clinical sciences, and to evidence based medicine.