Using Process Mining to Explore the Impact of Socio-economic Status on the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders – A Case Study

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) reduce a person’s mobility and are a worldwide problem. The optimal care for MSDs implies that various healthcare providers, such as hospitals and physiotherapists, collaborate. Moreover, in order to shape the optimal care for MSD patients, their medical and personal background should be considered. Research has shown that care consumption can differ among patients depending on their socio-economic status. In order to explore the influence of the socio-economic status of patients on their MSD treatment trajectory, data from the Beweeghuis care network for MSDs is analyzed using process mining. The exploratory process mining analysis only highlights minor differences between socio-economic status groups. The findings need to be reflected against the prevailing data-related limitations, showing the clear need for follow-up research.