BETTER
Care

Specialist physiotherapists provide equal or better usual care in comparison to medical practitioners in terms of diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, use of healthcare resources, economic costs and patient satisfaction.

Specialist physiotherapists typically deliver care in three ways:

  1. Shared-care (collaboration with the GP and local/treating physiotherapist or other health professional).
  2. Specialist care (a course of treatment delivered by the specialist physiotherapist, potentially as part of a multidisciplinary approach.  Common for more complex cases).
  3. Broader recommendations for management (eg. around diagnosis, recovery expectations and referral to medical or other healthcare specialists).

When Specialist Physiotherapists are Best Engaged

Below are listed the most common triggers for potential referral for specialist physiotherapist engagement:

Patient Factors

  • Diagnosis is unclear
  • Complex presentation
  • Acute or chronic condition that has not progressed as expected
  • Re-enforcement of evidence-based messages
  • Looking to optimise recovery
  • Patient interested in a second opinion

Treating Practitioner Factors

  • Treating practitioner is struggling to implement evidence-based care due to patient factors
  • Treating practitioner feels out of their depth with the presentation
  • Treating practitioner has a lack of confidence in implementing biopsychosocial management
  • Treating practitioner wants advice or mentoring

System Level Factors

  • Diagnosis unclear
  • More detailed prognosis required
  • Check for exhaustion of conservative management options
  • Risk profiling for further specialist medical services

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