Review of the Effectiveness of a Consultant Physiotherapy‐Led Musculoskeletal Interface Team: A Welsh Experience

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>The present service evaluation aimed to assess patients’ experience of the musculoskeletal interface (MSKI) team, evaluate the outcomes of referrals to secondary care and determine if patients returned to secondary musculoskeletal (MSK) care following discharge from the MSKI team.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>Excel spreadsheets were designed for data capture. The survey was undertaken in June 2012. Patients were invited to complete and return the questionnaire. Data were collated and reported. Clinicians were given a list of patient identification numbers for those they had referred to secondary care. Using the patient electronic record system, they checked the outcome as recorded and entered data onto the spreadsheet. Patients who had been discharged between December 2011 and November 2012 were identified, their cases were reviewed and data were entered onto the spreadsheet. The information was then collated and reported.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>In June 2012, 415 patients attended clinics, of whom 231 (56%) responded to the patient experience survey. On average, 206 (89%) patients agreed that they were satisfied or highly satisfied with their clinic experience. A total of 2,362 (89%) discharges were reviewed; 1,565 patients (61%) were discharged to their general practitioner (GP) and not referred back to a secondary care surgical or medical service, of these 21% were referred to secondary care by the MSKI team. By 2014, a total of 286 patients had been referred to secondary care by their GP following discharge but only 54 (2%) of whom returned for secondary care assessment for the same condition. Between December 2011 and November 2012, 620 (26%) patients seen in clinic were referred to secondary care; 462 (75%) were referred to orthopaedic surgeons, 66 (11%) to the orthopaedic physician, 44 (8%) to the pain clinic and 48 (1%) to ‘other‘, including neurology, rheumatology, etc.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>Physiotherapy‐led multi‐professional teams provide effective management of MSK conditions, and the majority of patients are satisfied with their care. A year to 18 months year following discharge, only 2% of patients returned for secondary care assessment for the same condition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</jats:p></jats:sec>