A telephone assessment and advice service within an ED physiotherapy clinic: a single-site quality improvement cohort study

Abstract Background In response to issues with timely access and high non-attendance rates for Emergency Department (ED) physiotherapy, a telephone assessment advice service was evaluated as part of quality improvement project. This telehealth option requires minimal resources, the added benefit allowing healthcare professional streamline care. A primary aim investigate whether this model can reduce wait times rates, compared usual secondary evaluate user acceptability. Methods single-site cohort study that compares data on time first physiotherapy contact, participant satisfaction between patients opted based initial advice, versus routine face-to-face appointments. 116 were referred ED over 3-month pilot at out-patient department, XMercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland. 91 (78%) service, 40% ( n =36) contacting service. 25 (22%) Data gathered using hospital reporting system. Satisfaction collected discharge survey adapted from General Practice Assessment Questionnaire. Independent-samples t-test or Mann Whitney U Test utilised depending distribution data. For categorical data, Chi-Square tests performed. level significance p ? 0.05 set study. Results Those contacted had significantly reduced (median 6 days; 3–8 days) those care 35 19–39 0.05). There no significant between-group differences satisfaction. Conclusion may be useful in minimising delays Physiotherapy musculoskeleltal problems. appears broadly acceptable since it introduced rapidly, helpful triaging referrals consultations, line COVID-19 recommendations. However, large scale randomised controlled trial is warranted confirm these findings.