How the health system can best deal with musculoskeletal pain

Musculoskeletal pain was estimated in 2012 to cost the country more than $5.5 billion a year and sends as many as 15% of New Zealanders to the GP each year. It's also responsible for a major chunk of claims to ACC, as well as those on benefits for sickness or invalid purposes. And with New Zealand's over 65 year old population due to double by the year 2030, the problem of muscle, bone and joint pain is only set to grow. Talking about the best way for health systems to approach and deal with the issue is Suzanne McDonough, Health and Rehabilitation Professor at the University of Ulster's Institute of Nursing and Health Research.