Providing patients with direct access to musculoskeletal physiotherapy: the impact on general practice musculoskeletal workload and resource use. The STEMS-2 study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study examined the real-world impact of patient direct access to NHS physiotherapy (self-referral) on (a) general practice consultations for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and (b) specified clinical management for patients with MSK conditions.

Design and setting

Natural experiment in four general practices and the associated physiotherapy service.

Methods

Anonymised routinely collected data were obtained. MSK coded GP consultations, recorded fit notes, MSK-related prescription medication, X-rays and MRI requests, and referrals to secondary care for patients consulting with MSK conditions were identified and trends described across a 6-year period (June 2011 to June 2017). Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify any significant changes in G

SUBMITTER: Bishop A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8120844 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature