Physiotherapists as first-contact practitioners for patients with low back pain in French primary care: a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A new model of care enables French physiotherapists (PT) working in collaboration with family physicians (FP) to expand their usual scope of practice for patients with acute low back pain (LBP). The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of this new first-contact physiotherapy (FCP) advanced practice model compared to usual FP care.

Methods

A multicentre pragmatic non-inferiority cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) has been conducted in six multidisciplinary primary healthcare centres in France. Patients from 20 to 55 years old with acute LBP consulted either the PT or the FP. PT independently assessed and managed patients including medication prescription. The primary outcome measure was disability at six weeks (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, r

SUBMITTER: Kechichian A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11572111 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature