The impact of direct access physiotherapy compared to primary care physician led usual care for patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of the literature.

Conclusion: Emerging evidence of weak to moderate quality suggest that direct access physiotherapy could provide better outcomes in terms of disability, quality of life, and healthcare costs compared to primary physician-led medical care for patients with musculoskeletal disorders but not for pain outcomes. These conclusions could be modified when higher quality trials are published. Clinical relevance: Direct access physiotherapy for patients with musculoskeletal disorders appears as a promising model to improve efficiency of care and reduce health care costs, but more methodologically sound studies are required to formally conclude. Trial registration Prospero: #CRD42018095604 IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Emerging evidence of weak to moderate quality indicates that direct access physiotherapy could provide better outcomes in terms of disability, quality of life and healthcare costs compared to primary physician led usual medical care for musculoskeletal disorders patients. Direct access physiotherapy may lead to increased access to care and a more efficient use of health care resources. Direct access physiotherapy does not appear to improve pain outcomes compared to primary care physician-led usual medical care. PMID: 31603709 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Disability and Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Tags: Disabil Rehabil Source Type: research