What sort of follow up is done with patients to help
them maintain the programme?
The individual centres will follow up with members and
Mescheme routinely to monitor the outcomes.
Bonitas does not only wait for members to contact
the scheme when they need help, they also use their
predictive modelling capabilities to support members,
who may benefit from this service, by proactively
contacting them and encouraging them to join the DBC
programme.
Case study
Bonitas back and neck programme gives woman her life back
One patient who was contacted by Bonitas when she
was suffering chronic back pain tells her story.
Thandiwe* has Lupus, a systemic autoimmune disease
that occurs when your body's immune system attacks
your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused
by Lupus can affect many different body systems —
including your joints. She has already been through
two hip replacements, surgery to both shoulders, her
right knee and her ankle. In 2018 when she started
developing lower back pain that went down into
her thighs and into knees, she knew the disease had
started to affect her back. She had to use either a
walker or a wheelchair.
She says, ‘I couldn’t walk because of the sharp
burning pain. I went to see an orthopaedic surgeon
and neurologist and they confirmed that Lupus was
affecting my spine. Thandiwe was not a candidate for
surgery and was at her wits’ end. Besides no being able
to walk she couldn’t do house chores, go the mall or
visit family or friends. ‘The worst was when the pain
sort of locked my knees, even making standing painful.’
Bonitas, with whom she has been a member for
28 years, phoned her during this time and told her
about the DBC back and neck programme.
The doctor at DBC said that her lower lumber vertebra,
L4 and L5 are degenerating and that the multi-
disciplinary programme of healthcare practitioners
would help her.
* Name has been changed for privacy
Page 25
The two month programme started immediately and
she said that apart from consulting with the doctor
she saw a physiotherapist, biokineticist and had
massage therapy, aquapuncture and hot pad therapy.
‘Initially using the exercise equipment was very
difficult but I felt more comfortable once the doctor
checked my progress and gave advice.’
She says after a month she started to walk slowly
without a walker and didn’t need her wheelchair.
‘I felt much better and the doctor was pleased with
my progress but recommended that I continue the
programme for another month. The pain had reduced
and at last I could sleep on both sides and turn in my
bed.'
‘The best part of the programme is the fact that
the pain is reduced and I can also use the exercise
equipment without feeling so much pain. I just feel
so much better. I can walk inside and outside the
house without using any assistance. I still keep up the
exercises I was given.'
Thandiwe is on the Standard option and the entire
cost of the DBC programme was covered.
‘Continuous pain makes you feel depressed and you
feel as if you have no life. I am feeling so confident
and my self-esteem has started to return. I have my
life back!
‘I still have a long way to go but it is the best thing I
have ever done. I am continuing with my exercises and
looking forward to even more improvement.’