Physios to the fore in orthopaedic assistance

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has welcomed the publication of a pilot study that showed assessment by physiotherapists was an effective way to manage waiting lists for orthopaedic specialists.

This study found that experienced, well-qualified physiotherapists can safely and competently screen patients with non-urgent musculoskeletal pain referred to public hospital outpatient clinics.

“GPs who need a specialist opinion on the diagnosis and management of patients with musculoskeletal conditions usually refer them to public hospital orthopaedic outpatient clinics,” APA president, Peter Fazey, said.

“However, sometimes patients have to face waiting times of more than three years before seeing a specialist. This situation is obviously unacceptable to the general community and something needs to be done.

“While this study was only a pilot, the findings that physiotherapists could dramatically cut waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery were quite compelling.”