None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Patients referred to orthopaedics outpatients commonly face long wait times for outpatient appointments and surgery. This study intervention supports advanced physios- funded through Cairns Hospital - to offer assessments to referred chronic musculoskeletal patients within community Queensland Health (QH) facilities. they will collaborate with other QH allied professionals and create an individual Plan for patient management- which will be sent to the patient's GP for discussion on how to access existing community allied health services to complete the recommended planned sessions.
Interventions
intervention: a non- randomised control (comparing with historical data) trial
GPs can directly refer patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions to Advanced physiotherapists for assessments
Advanced physiotherapists (level HP5) will have at least 5-10 years experience with additional orthopaedic training provided at the Cairns hospital orthopaedic unit for 6 mths prior to working independently in this role.
Face to face assessments at a Queensland health facility by the physio's, who
intervention: a non- randomised control (comparing with historical data) trial GPs can directly refer patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions to Advanced physiotherapists for assessments Advanced physiotherapists (level HP5) will have at least 5-10 years experience with additional orthopaedic training provided at the Cairns hospital orthopaedic unit for 6 mths prior to working independently in this role. Face to face assessments at a Queensland health facility by the physio's, who will collect basic physical measurements and history of condition and current dietry information (as guided by dietitian) these physical assessments by Advanced Physios will examine X-rays (trained to do so) and apply a number of validated/standardised examinations to assess strength, pain, movement, weightbearing capacity- and suitablity for further physiotherapy sessions- - they will also seek input from other allied health professionals- employed at the hospital- including dietitian, psychology and pharmacy (these professionals will not examine the participant, but offer advice based on information from the physio assessment (weight and height and lifestyle) and existing pharmacy use Once assessed and discussed with the other allied health professionals (dietitican, psychology and pharmacy) they will create an individual plan for each participant- tailored to their condition and personal needs. the number of recommended sessions with a physio/dietitian/psychologist and pharmacist will be included in a Plan- provided to the participant's GP, for discussion with them on how they are likely to undertake this plan using existing allied health services within the community. The GP will be able to provide an MBS funded chronic condition plan (MBS #723) that will reduce the out of pocket costs for the participant, for at least the first 5 session. Most plans will involve 8-10 sessions upon completion of the Plan- participants will be reviewed again by the Advanced Physio to check progress - completion of this with no further treatment requirements will mean they are removed (discharged) from the orthopaedic list- if however, their treatment Plan has not been successful, they will be recommended to return to their GP for a referral to orthopaedics- where they should be fast tracked for assessment
Sponsors
The University of Queensland
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Consenting adults (ages 18-75) with a chronic musculoskeletal condition, who have been directly referred to the advanced physio assessment program.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion Criteria: patients with acute orthopaedic conditions, such as fractures, patients older than 75 years, residents of Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF), patients with congenital musculoskeletal conditions or permanent physical disabilities (paraplegia, cerebral palsy, spina bifida), patients with extremely complex orthopaedic conditions, such as previous MVA with multiple fractures, patients who are immuno-compromised, or currently receiving oncology specialist treatment, patients with intellectual disability &/or extensive psychiatric histories, impacting their ability to consent or comply with physiotherapy assessment and treatment.
Outcome results
None listed