Scope of practice review: providers for triage and assessment of spine-related disorders.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored which health care providers could be involved in centralized intake for patients with nonspecific low back pain to enhance access, continuity, and appropriateness of care.


METHODS
We reviewed the scope of practice regulations for a range of health care providers. We also conducted telephone interviews with 17 individuals representing ten provincial colleges and regulatory bodies to further understand providers' legislated scopes of practice. Activities relevant to triaging and assessing patients with low back pain were mapped against professionals' scope of practice.


RESULTS
Family physicians and nurse practitioners have the most comprehensive scopes and can complete all restricted activities for spine assessment and triage, while the scope of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are progressively narrower. Chiropractors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and athletic therapists are considered experts in musculoskeletal assessments and appear best suited for musculoskeletal specific assessment and triage. Other providers may play a complementary role depending on the individual patient needs.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that an interprofessional assessment and triage team that includes allied health professionals would be a feasible option to create a centralized intake model. Implementation of such teams would require removing barriers that currently prevent providers from delivering on their full scope of practice.
Workforce Research and Evaluation, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Omenaa
O
Boakye
Workforce Research and Evaluation, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Arden
A
Birney
Workforce Research and Evaluation, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Esther
E
Suter
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Leah Adeline
LA
Phillips
Addiction and Mental Health SCN, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Victoria Ym
VY
Suen
centralized intake; integrated service model; interprofessional team; low back pain; scope of practice review