A research trial is currently underway to investigate the safety and patient experience of physiotherapists in primary contact emergency department roles prescribing medicines for musculoskeletal conditions. The trial involves five sites across Queensland. Preliminary results on 450 patients recruited to date (as at 30 October 2017) have been very positive. No serious adverse events attributable to physiotherapy prescribing have been reported.
There is good acceptance of the model of care within the multi-disciplinary team and very high levels of patient satisfaction. Having the ability to incorporate prescribing into these roles will enable patients to receive quicker access to appropriate care and medicines, and allow medical and nursing staff to be released to manage more complex patient presentations.
More information on the Emergency department physiotherapy practitioner collaborative.
