Lift for Life programs in Victoria to be listed on interactive, online Arthritis Map

25/05/2011

The Arthritis Map of Victoria is the first of its kind internationally and was developed to meet the practical needs of people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions: these conditions affect nearly one third of the Victorian population.

“We all know someone with arthritis or a MSK condition. This practical tool will help people with MSK conditions and their general practitioners and rheumatologists to quickly and easily locate nearby health care practitioners, support programs and services: helping to support patients to achieve the best possible MSK health,” said Ms Linda Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Arthritis Victoria.  

The Arthritis Map is accessible on the internet and it will:

  • help people living with MSK conditions to access and locate health services, physical activity programs, public facilities, local support groups and more;

  • assist general practitioners and rheumatologists to identify local services that enable their patients to better manage their condition;

  • help health care planners in government and the health system to understand the impact of MSK conditions on communities; and

  • spotlight areas where new services need to be established to keep up with population growth and health care demands.  

To access the map, click on the link found at http://www.arthritisvic.org.au/.

"The Arthritis Map uses online maps and information to help people with a MSK condition, researchers, carers, health professionals and planners identify local services available and maps the prevalence of MSK conditions across Victoria," said Ms Martin.

"The map highlights the gaps in local MSK health services, particularly in rural and regional Victoria."

Two versions of the map are available:

The Consumer/ Health Professional Map features information on the location of health services, physical activity programs, accessible public facilities, local support groups, as well as prevalence data on MSK conditions per local government area (LGA).

The Consumer/ Health Professional Map displays a range of data including:

  • Prevalence data from National Health Survey at LGA level

  • Location of health services including rheumatologists, general practitioners, hospitals, surgeons and community health centres

  • Location of allied health services and complimentary therapy services including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, disability services and pharmacies

  • Arthritis Victoria programs and services including WAVES warm water exercise classes, Tai Chi For Arthritis classes, MSK community support groups, Nordic walking classes, courses, camps and other community events

  • Other relevant health services (from the Human Services Directory)

  • Go for your life! programs

  • Parks Victoria accessible parks information

  • City of Melbourne Mobility Map, including information on accessible public transport

  • Accessible public services such as toilets, street furniture, internet locations, Medicare and Centrelink offices, and

  • Beyond Blue mental health service information.


This version of the map will be used for people living with a MSK condition and their friends and families, treating GPs and other medical specialists.


In addition to the above elements, the Health Planning Map features data to assist future planning including projected population rates per LGA, urban growth boundaries, socioeconomic indexes per LGA and hospital utilisation data.

The Health Planning Map displays a range of data including all of the above features plus:

  • Projected population rates per LGA

  • Urban growth boundaries

  • Hospital utilisation data

  • Socioeconomic indexes per LGA

  • Government electoral divisions

  • Other Australian Bureau of Statistics data such as remoteness areas, and

  • A wider range of information on public facilities

This version of the map will benefit health service planners at the federal, state and local government levels and researchers. The information available on this map will assist in identifying gaps in health service provision for Victorians living with MSK conditions.

The map has been built by Melbourne company dMap using the Google Maps platform. Partial funding for the map's development has been provided by the Ian Potter Foundation. The data used to populate the map has been provided by the Victorian Government Department of Health (including the Human Service Directory and Go for your life!), Parks Victoria, The City of Melbourne, Public Health Information Development Unity at The University of Adelaide, Beyond Blue and the Australian Rheumatology Association.