Evaluation of physiotherapists as primary assessors of patients with musculoskeletal disorders seeking primary health care

Abstract

Design An observational, retrospective cohort study reviewing medical records, and a separate consecutive non-randomized study of patient satisfaction.Setting Health care centre in primary care.Participants 432 patients with musculoskeletal disorders, primarily assessed by a physiotherapist. 51 of these patients and 42 patients assessed by a GP answered a patient satisfaction questionnaire.Interventions Primary assessment and management of patients with musculoskeletal disorders.Main outcome measures Data from medical records including a 3-month follow-up, and patient satisfaction questionnaire.Results Eighty-five percent of patients (367/432) did not need to see a GP. Serious pathologies were found among the 6% (26/432) of the patients whom the physiotherapist referred to a GP, while none were found among the other 9% (39/432) who later returned for a GP appointment. Patients assessed by a physiotherapist were more satisfied with the information received about their disorders and about self-care than those assessed by a GP.They also had higher confidence in the physiotherapist's ability to assess their disorder (p<0.002). ConclusionPhysiotherapists can be considered primary assessors of patients with musculoskeletal disorders in primary care as few patients needed additional assessment by a GP, patients with confirmed serious pathologies had been identified by the physiotherapist, and the patients were satisfied with the assessment by the physiotherapist.3

The perception of physical therapy leaders in Saudi Arabia regarding physical therapy scope of practice in primary health care

“…Moreover, accumulating evidence supports the role of physical therapists as health care providers in health promotion. This includes the prescription of general physical activity programs, work place assessments and programs specifically designed for the elderly 27 , 28 , 29 ) . The World Physical Therapy Confederation (WCPT) advocates the provision of physical therapy services in PHC that is appropriate to local cultural, socio-economic and political circumstances and provides equitable access to effective services 30 ) .…”

Health Care Professionals' Reactions to Patient Pain: Impact of Knowledge About Medical Evidence and Psychosocial Influences

“…Finally, in our study, participants were general practitioners and physiotherapists who have a pre-eminent role in the care of patients with pain. 4,22,37 In particular, general practitioners are responsible for the first-line care of patients with pain and physiotherapists are responsible for the first-line interventions for many high impact pain conditions. Nevertheless, we are unaware of any study that investigated the influence of medical evidence and psychosocial factors in these groups of practitioners.…”

Preparedness to Implement Physical Activity and Rehabilitation Guidelines in Routine Primary Care Cancer Rehabilitation: Focus Group Interviews Exploring Rehabilitation Professionals’ Perceptions

“…Participants' main focus when asking about previous cancer disease was often to identify "red flags." Ludvigsson and Enthoven [30] presented that physiotherapists with long work experience in primary care were indeed competent in identifying signs of serious disease that needed further investigation [30]. However, guidelines stress not only the need for surveillance of disease recurrence but also the need to pay attention to health promotion and disease prevention, monitoring, and treatment of late cancer therapyinduced side effects [2].…”