Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation Turns Attention to Stemming Demand

Stuart Foxman
Special to the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation

Looking ahead 20 years, can we significantly reduce the anticipated demand for orthopaedic surgeries? Angelique Berg thinks so. Berg is Executive Director of the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, which plans an increased focus on public education and awareness, including injury prevention, nutrition and fitness strategies. How can the Foundation be a catalyst for change? To learn more, we talked with Berg.

Education is already part of your mandate, along with raising funds for research and community care. What was the impetus for this added emphasis?

Berg: It's a matter of managing supply and demand to create sustainable orthopaedic care for Canadians. The whole nation knows we've got a big problem. On the supply side, we see early progress in some provinces, and through the leadership of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association and the Bone and Joint Decade. We've turned our attention to what we know best - the demand side of the equation, the patient side - and will focus on preventing the reasons why orthopaedic surgery becomes necessary.

What's the main message that you want to get across to Canadians?

Berg: That people can take steps, throughout their lifetime, to keep their bones and muscles strong - and keep doing all they want to do all their lives. Being active, eating well, maintaining a

healthy body weight, and building strength keep all of your body systems healthier, and helps to avoid musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Largely, a healthy musculoskeletal system is about making good choices, and they're relatively easy to do.

That's how you're framing the message?

Angelique Berg

Berg: Our theme is "because you can". Our messages appeal to an individual's sense of ability and achievement, and the positive results of change. Make bone and joint health a way of life, and you'll be rewarded well into your senior years. Walk, run, dance, play sports, keep moving - because you can! We're staying away from do's and don'ts. So many health messages evoke fear or worry about current habits. We intend to get people excited and determined to improve their bones and joints.

How will you get the message out?

Berg: Everything from a booklet on bone and joint health for distribution to orthopaedic and GP offices, to classroom modules, to media awareness. Ours will be a catalytic role with a number of organizations - professional associations, other health charities, government and health care partners - working to significantly reduce the reasons orthopaedic surgery becomes necessary. We can't effect the population behaviour modification we're striving for alone, nor do we intend to.

Besides the benefits for individuals, what impact will your education and awareness programming have on the health care system?

Berg: Consider some numbers. Injuries result in two million days in hospital each year, and their impact is two-fold - in the care needed at the time, and the fact that injuries are suspected to be a major factor in developing arthritis. Arthritis is the number four disease in health spending, expected to affect 6.4 million Canadians within 25 years. Another 1.4 million suffer from osteoporosis, which is preventable through bone-building nutrition and activity. The numbers place a significant strain on the health care system and have an enormous economic impact. Stemming demand for orthopaedic treatment or surgery is the way the Foundation can help ensure a sustainable health care system.

How does your work support the efforts of health professionals?

Berg: The information and resources we provide complement the expert care that Canadians receive in doctor's offices and hospitals across the country. We want to help people to become active participants in their improved bone and joint health, and share accountability for the best outcome when surgery is necessary.

You joined the Foundation after a career in the pharmaceutical industry. What do you find so compelling about this field, and the need for more education around bone and joint health?

Berg: Through my former position, I facilitated our company's corporate sponsorship of the Hip Hip Hooray! campaign, and saw first-hand how grateful people are to regain their mobility. After joining the Foundation, I've listened to countless patients share their experiences of immobility. A 54 year-old man waiting two years for a bilateral hip replacement, who couldn't stand long enough to shave. A young girl with juvenile arthritis, who just wants to skate again. An older man who endured over 20 surgeries and still battles chronic pain from a car accident, who just wants to play a full round of golf. We all want to be able to do the things that make us feel happy, able, independent, valued, and vibrant. When we can't, it's demoralizing. I want to be a part of changing that.

How can COA members support the Foundation's goal to reduce demand?

Berg: Call or e-mail us with your ideas - your input and perspective are critical to the success of our goals. Open doors for us to talk to other organizations who share our objectives, to help us begin forging partnerships. Tell your patients and colleagues about our services, like our peer support programme, Ortho Connect, and the resources on our web site, http://www.canorth.org/. Stock your offices with our sign-up brochures, so that patients can mail in their requests for our newsletter. Donate, so we can continue to build on our programmes that so many find of value. Every member has the potential to help. Together, we can influence a change in the behaviour of Canadians, and improve mobility for all.

You can contact Angelique Berg, Executive Director, Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone at 1-800-461-3639 ext. 2.