Advanced Practice Physiotherapy Care in Emergency Departments

Launched by MAISONNEUVE-ROSEMONT HOSPITAL · Sep 15, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new approach to care in emergency departments (EDs) for patients with musculoskeletal diseases or conditions, which include issues like back pain, joint sprains, and arthritis. The goal is to see if having advanced practice physiotherapists (PTs) provide care directly to patients can be more effective than the usual care provided by doctors. The trial will compare how well patients feel, how well they can function, and how much healthcare resources are used, ultimately aiming to improve access to care and reduce wait times in EDs.

To participate in this study, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have a common minor musculoskeletal issue that is not due to a major injury or life-threatening condition. They also need to be able to understand English or French and have provincial health insurance. Participants can expect to either receive care from a physiotherapist or the usual doctor care during their visit to the ED. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to provide valuable insights that could help improve healthcare for Canadians facing musculoskeletal problems in emergency situations.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • patients presenting with complaints related to common minor MSKD (e.g. back pain, joint sprain, osteoarthritis, muscle pain or tendinopathy) and being triaged by the triage nurse as level 3, 4, or 5 on the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS);
• • aged 18 years or more;
• • legally able to consent;
• • able to understand/speak French or English;
• • beneficiary of a provincial universal health insurance coverage.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • having injury resulting from major trauma (e.g. high velocity trauma or major motor vehicle accident);
• • presenting a major musculoskeletal injury (e.g. open fractures, unreduced dislocations, open wounds or a condition that needs an urgent surgical intervention);
• • presenting red flags (e.g. progressive neurological deficits or infection-related symptoms);
• • consulting for a diagnosed inflammatory arthritis or other active/unstable non-musculoskeletal condition (e.g. pulmonary, cardiac, digestive or psychiatric condition) and
• • consulting for a work-related MSKD eligible for workers' compensation benefits.