MSK First Contact Physiotherapist Services<\/h2>\n
By far the biggest challenge facing General Practice is that it doesn\u2019t have enough people to do the work required!<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Musculoskeletal conditions can account for up to 20% of a GP\u2019s workload<\/li>\n
91% of people with arthritis say they are not given information about exercise\/self-care<\/li>\n
Only 43% say they can manage their arthritis well (Arthritis Care, 2017).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
With a growing population and increase in the prevalence of long term MSK conditions there is a need to\u00a0do things differently<\/strong>\u00a0if we are to effectively meet the challenges in an already stretched Primary Care sector.<\/p>\n
We believe that a First Contact Physiotherapist with advanced skills can become an important member of the expanding general practice teams responsible for delivering optimal services to patients within primary care.<\/p>\n
First Contact Physiotherapists (FCP\u2019s)<\/strong> are qualified autonomous clinical practitioners who are able to assess, diagnose, treat and discharge a person without a medical referral. They have developed advanced competencies to be able to request and interpret appropriate investigations, offer soft tissue and joint injections and write fitness for work reports<\/p>\n
Common questions?<\/h3>\n
Does an FCP replace the need for a physiotherapy service?<\/h4>\n
No, the FCP roles will manage in the region of 20% of the physiotherapy caseload and ultimately reduce the pressures on the existing physiotherapy services. Rehabilitation will continue to be required as part of the MSK pathway.<\/p>\n
We already have self referral to physio, what is the difference?<\/h4>\n
As most FCP\u00a0appointments are booked through the\u00a0general practice\u2019s reception, FCPs see many\u00a0patients who had not considered seeing\u00a0a physiotherapist in the first instance. Should the patient require\u00a0further treatment, then the FCP can make\u00a0a referral.<\/p>\n
Won\u2019t it deskill GP\u2019s in the management of MSK disorders?<\/h4>\n
While FCP services will take a significant proportion of the MSK workload from GPs, there is no intention to de-skill GPs. GPs will continue to see a proportion of MSK patients, with FCPs providing advice and expertise into the whole GP team.<\/p>\n
Who employs FCP\u2019s?<\/h4>\n
Through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme<\/em>, Primary Care Networks are offered 70% of the actual ongoing salary costs of FCP\u2019s. Each network is able to decide which provider organisation employs the staff.<\/p>\n
The benefits of an FCP in General Practice\u2026<\/h3>\n
For the\u00a0Patients<\/strong>?<\/p>\n
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A shorter pathway, so patients have fewer appointments to attend<\/li>\n
Good patient experience with 90-99% satisfaction rates in pilots<\/li>\n
Longer appointment times, meaning patients feel listened to, cared for and reassured<\/li>\n
Reduced sickness absence<\/li>\n
Accelerates recovery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For the\u00a0General Practice?<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Less MSK related appointments<\/li>\n
Reduced need for locum appointments<\/li>\n
More time to manage complex medical cases<\/li>\n
In-house MSK expertise gained<\/li>\n
Support in meeting practice targets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For the\u00a0Health Economy?<\/strong><\/p>\n
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A return on investment of up to \u00a33 for every \u00a31 spent on implementing FCP services (Davies C, 2017)<\/li>\n
A reduction of unnecessary imaging<\/li>\n
A reduction of prescribing costs<\/li>\n
Reduced secondary care referrals<\/li>\n
Improved conversion rate to surgery when referrals are required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n