PhysioDirect: Supporting physiotherapists to deliver telephone assessment and advice services within the context of a randomised trial

Annette Bishop,Jill Gamlin,Jeanette Hall,Cherida Hopper,Nadine E Foster

doi:10.1016/j.physio.2012.08.002

Annette Bishop, Jill Gamlin + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2012.08.002

Copy DOI

Abstract

Physiotherapy-led telephone assessment and advice services for patients with musculoskeletal problems have been developed in many services in the UK, but high quality trial data on clinical and cost effectiveness has been lacking. In order to address this ‘The PhysioDirect trial’ (ISRCTN55666618), was a pragmatic randomised trial of a PhysioDirect telephone assessment and advice service. This paper describes the PhysioDirect system used in the trial and how physiotherapists were trained and supported to use the system and deliver the PhysioDirect service. The PhysioDirect system used in the trial was developed in Huntingdon and now serves a population of 350,000 people. When initiating or providing physiotherapy-led telephone assessment and advice services training and support for physiotherapists delivering care in this way is essential. An enhanced skill set is required for telephone assessment and advice particularly in listening and communication skills. In addition to an initial training programme, even experienced physiotherapists benefit from a period of skill consolidation to become proficient and confident in assessing patients and delivering care using the telephone. A computer-based system assists the delivery of a physiotherapy-led musculoskeletal assessment and advice service.Clinical Trials Registration Number (ISRCTN55666618).

Highlights

Physiotherapy-led telephone assessment and advice services have been developed in many services in the UK in an attempt to meet demand for physiotherapy services and improve patient outcomes by reducing waiting times to first physiotherapy contact [1]
This paper complements the protocol and main trial results papers by describing the PhysioDirect system used in the trial and how physiotherapists were prepared for using the system and delivering the service, including the training and competency assessment process
The aims of this paper were to describe the PhysioDirect system used in the PhysioDirect randomised trial and provide information on how physiotherapists were prepared for using the system and delivering the service, including the training and competency assessment process

Summary

Introduction

Physiotherapy-led telephone assessment and advice services have been developed in many services in the UK in an attempt to meet demand for physiotherapy services and improve patient outcomes by reducing waiting times to first physiotherapy contact [1]. Such service developments mean that physiotherapists are being asked to deliver care in new and innovative ways. The ‘PhysioDirect trial’ (ISRCTN55666618), funded by the Medical Research Council, was a pragmatic randomised trial of a PhysioDirect telephone assessment and advice service, to compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of PhysioDirect with usual physiotherapy care for adults with musculoskeletal problems. This paper complements the protocol and main trial results papers by describing the PhysioDirect system used in the trial and how physiotherapists were prepared for using the system and delivering the service, including the training and competency assessment process.

Objectives

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion