Easing the burden for joint replacement wait times: the role of the expanded practice physiotherapist.
There is a critical shortage of orthopedic surgeons in Canada today due to a decreasing number of surgeons practising here and the increased demand for their services from a population with record-high rates of osteoarthritis and obesity. A method of managing the increased demand for total joint replacement was implemented and evaluated. A physiotherapist and orthopedic surgeons performed assessments on patients referred for surgery and found that 34% did not require surgery and that all patients required appropriate conservative management. This has led to the development and implementation of a model of care that not only meets orthopedic demands but improves treatment options for orthopedic patients.
Aiken
Alice B
AB
Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. alice.aiken@queensu.ca
Harrison
Mark M
MM
Atkinson
Marg
M
Hope
John
J
D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D009864:Ontario; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D014850:Waiting Lists