title: [Direct access to physical therapy services].
abstract: This article presents findings from professional and scientific articles written on the subject of direct access to physical therapy services. Direct access is sometimes referred to as "self-referral"--the patient does not require a physician's referral prior to receiving physiotherapy treatment. The article provides insight from the experience of countries where direct access is accepted practice, which will serve as a theoretical and scientific basis for the use of direct access in Israel. Findings include the influence of direct access on the health care system: cost-benefit analysis, advantages and challenges, as well as the perspective of main stakeholders: physicians, physical therapists and patient-clients. .
authors.forename: Ayala
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parag
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Arnon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afek
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*