title: Comparing patient outcomes for care delivered by advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapists with other health professionals in the emergency department-A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To compare advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapists with other health professionals by measuring outcomes for patients presenting to the emergency department with lower limb soft tissue injuries or acute low back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was conducted (Lower limb soft tissue injury cohort, n=88), (Acute low back pain cohort, n=29) at the emergency departments of two urban hospitals. A univariate analysis was completed for a number of outcome measures: Lower Extremity Functional Scale, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, imaging requirements, Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire, Numerical Pain Rating Scale and medication use. Data was obtained at discharge, two weeks and six weeks post-discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapists ordered less imaging, had less opioids (lower limb soft tissue injury) administered to patients, and patients' described equal or more satisfaction when compared to another health professional (p<0.05). No significant differences were found between groups for functional or pain related outcomes in both cohorts (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapists are less likely to order imaging, obtain similar outcomes regarding pain medications and display equal or more patient satisfaction when compared to other health professionals for patients presenting to the emergency department with lower limb soft tissue injuries or acute low back pain.
authors: The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: p.schulz@alfred.org.au.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Schulz
authors: The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Prescott
authors: St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Janine
authors: J
authors: Shifman
authors: The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Julio
authors: J
authors: Fiore
authors: The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Holland
authors: The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Harding
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics
keywords: ED; Imaging; Medications; Outcomes; Physiotherapist; Satisfaction