Management of soft tissue knee injuries in an accident and emergency department: the effect of the introduction of a physiotherapy practitioner

The Physical Therapist as a Musculoskeletal Specialist in the Emergency Department

“…12 Multiple publications describing international ED practice support these ideas and outline the potential roles for physiotherapists in patient triage. 7,35,56 Likewise, the unique examination and evaluation skills of physical therapists may limit expenses associated with overutilized and expensive services, such as diagnostic imaging. 11,23 In existing programs in the United States, official orders for imaging are submitted by physicians or designated staff.…”

“…A recent observational pilot study by Anaf and Sheppard 4 described the ED-based physiotherapist as a provider who primarily treats aged individuals and patients with musculoskeletal deficits by addressing problems of pain, decreased mobility, and limited range of motion. Jibuike et al 35 described…”

Embedding an allied health service in the Nelson hospital emergency department: A retrospective report of a six month pilot project

“…Also, there are increasing issues in providing the care required within expected time frames. Different models of ED care (Australian and Limited studies have been undertaken in the UK (Jibuike et al 2003, McClellan et al 2005, 2010, Australia (Farrell 2014, Gill and Stella 2013, Lau et al 2008, Morris et al 2015 and New Zealand (Canterbury District Health Board 2006) on the introduction and benefits to ED of physiotherapy. These studies largely looked at the role of an ED physiotherapist in an advanced scope of practice (primary contact) role treating musculoskeletal presentations or specific injuries.…”

Can physiotherapists contribute to care in the emergency department?

“…It is, therefore, surprising that very few studies have actually examined the effectiveness of EDP practice from a service delivery perspective. There are reports from some studies that the addition of an EDP to an ED service can lead to decreased waiting times and length of stay, 9 reduced time demands on medical staff, 10 and more efficient referral and access to outpatient physiotherapy treatment when indicated. 6 A large, randomised single centre trial by Richardson et al 12 found management of musculoskeletal pathologies by EDPs to be equivalent in cost to the management of such patients by ED medical staff.…”

“…Patients presenting with mechanical musculoskeletal pathologies can experience long waiting times in busy departments, as medical staff must prioritise higher triage category patients with more urgent medical issues. 10 commented on the high diagnostic accuracy of an EDP working in a specialised role managing acute knee injuries in collaboration with a knee surgeon, and Lau et al 11 found patients suffering low back pain managed in ED by a physiotherapist reported significantly lower levels of pain on discharge than those without EDP input.…”