Development of a soft tissue knee clinical decision-making tool for patients presenting to primary point-of-care providers in Alberta, Canada

Several barriers exist in Alberta, Canada to providing accurate and accessible diagnoses for patients presenting with acute knee injuries and chronic knee problems. In efforts to improve quality of care for these patients, an evidence-informed clinical decision-making tool was developed. Forty-five expert panelists were purposively chosen to represent stakeholder groups, various expertise, and each of Alberta Health Services’ 5 geographical health regions. A systematic rapid review and modified Delphi approach were executed with the intention of developing standardized clinical decision-making processes for acute knee injuries, atraumatic/overuse conditions, knee arthritis, and degenerative meniscus. Standardized criteria for screening, history-taking, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, timelines, and treatment were developed. This tool standardizes and optimizes assessment and diagnosis of acute knee injuries and chronic knee problems in Alberta. This project was a highly collaborative, province-wide effort led by Alberta Health Services’ Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network (BJH SCN) and the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute (ABJHI).