Comparing patient outcomes for care delivered by advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapists with other health professionals in the emergency department—A pilot study

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). Conclusion 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.