Access to first contact physiotherapy appointments in primary care

K, Lamb; C, Comer; N, Walsh; G, McHugh

Abstract

Background: First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) is part of the drive to increase General Practice (GP) capacity, by providing access to expert musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapists in GP surgeries. For the FCP model to provide effective MSK care at the start of the patient’s journey, it is essential that patients are directed to FCP appointments in a timely manner. It is therefore important to know how patients are accessing FCP appointments.

Objective: To provide an overview of the literature regarding patient access to FCP appointments.

Design: Scoping review

Methods: We reviewed studies published from January 2016 to May 2023 which were focused on FCP and made mention of patient access to FCP appointments. A search was performed using six databases as well as grey literature sources. Study selection and data extraction was conducted by two reviewers independently. Extracted data were tabulated and analysed according to our research questions.

Results: From 186 records identified, twenty-four studies and other materials were included in the review. A variety of terms were used to describe access routes to FCP appointments, the most common being ‘signposting’. The studies suggest the importance of the role of GP reception/administrative staff in enabling efficient patient access to FCP appointments.

Conclusion: There is a clear gap in the literature concerning how patients access FCP appointments. Since the importance of appropriate access is acknowledged as an essential feature of the expansion of FCP in Primary Care, future research is needed to refine and implement optimal FCP access models by identifying the key components needed to ensure timely and appropriate access to FCP.

Citation

K, L., C, C., N, W., & G, M. (2023). Access to first contact physiotherapy appointments in primary care. Musculoskeletal Care, 21(4), 1182-1194

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 9, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 23, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2023
• Deposit Date: Oct 9, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 12, 2023
• Journal: Musculoskeletal Care
• Print ISSN: 1478-2189
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-0681
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1182-1194
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11166357