MSK Telephone Assessments
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Enhancing Telephone Assessments in Outpatient Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
IRAS ID
229681
Contact name
Kay Cooper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Robert Gordon University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study aims to explore patients' and physiotherapists' perceptions of telephone assessments in outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy, in order to inform the design of a bespoke training programme for NHS Grampian physiotherapy staff to enhance telephone assessments.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, along with osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis, represent the single greatest cause of years lived with disability. MSK conditions are frequently managed by physiotherapists, with patients either being referred or referring themselves to physiotherapy.
Patient assessment is an important part of the patient journey in MSK physiotherapy services, and one which has undergone significant reform in recent years. Telephone assessment is recommended and is a key quality indicator; allied health professions services should provide one-to-one consultation in an appropriate timeframe, either face-to-face, by telephone or by video. Conducting telephone assessments requires a different set of skills from those traditionally employed by physiotherapists, with many physiotherapists reporting less confidence in telephone assessments than traditional face-to-face consultations. In order to provide high quality, effective, patient-centred care, it is important to provide appropriate support to physiotherapists developing this skill.
The following research questions will be addressed:
1. What are the important dimensions of MSK telephone assessments from the perspectives of patients and physiotherapists, and
2. What are the training needs of MSK physiotherapists in order to enhance outpatient MSK telephone assessments?
This will be achieved by:
i) Conducting a rapid review of literature on telephone assessments in primary care to accompany this research
ii) Interviewing people who have received telephone assessments
iii) Conducting focus groups with physiotherapists who have delivered telephone assessments
iv) Convening a working group to develop a training programme based on the knowledge generated in i-iii above.REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1224
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion