The Problem: Timely access and provider choice for patients in the UK who need care for musculoskeletal com
plaints but have to wait months to get an appointment with a General Practitioner (so they can then be referred to a Physio).
The Solution: Direct access to services provided by a physical therapist
The Result: Swift, effective care for people of all socioeconomic classes with musculoskeletal disorders leading to reduced work absenteeism, reduced direct costs, and increased patient satisfaction (per the published govt. report commented on in this article). Oh yea, also employment for the 1,800 physiotherapists who have graduate since 2005 and want to treat patients but who cannot find work.
One quarter of all consults from General Practitioners in the UK are for patients with neck and back pain complaints alone. What are they able to offer these patients? Hmmm, it appears the "You have Drugs, Surgery, or Us" option applies internationally.it certainly does in this case.
The Department of Health is calling on the leaders of the NHS to allow direct access. The APTA and its membership has been doing the same for some time now. Excuse me legislators and key health care decision makers: This is not rocket science- what's not to get?
Round and round and round we go, when will this madness (Medical visit ------ Consult ----------PT) stop nobody knows. However, one thing we do know, and that is that it won't stop until our patients have the option and ensuing benefits of real (ie. unfettered and reimbursed) Direct Access.
Rob
