Article

OBJECTIVE: To explore factors that might be relevant when designing a triage tool. DESIGN: A mixed-methods study using multivariable logistic regression
analysis to identify significant factors associated with requiring different
levels of care, and qualitative focus groups exploring views of patients and
physiotherapy clinicians regarding case complexity. SETTING: A community-based
adult musculoskeletal service delivering tier 1 (standard physiotherapy) and tier
2 care (complex care beyond the scope of standard physiotherapy) and providing
onward referral to orthopedic clinics (tier 3). PARTICIPANTS: Quantitative data
were extracted from a random sample of patients (N=484) who had received
treatment for musculoskeletal conditions. Patients and physiotherapists who had
received care or who worked in the service participated in focus groups.
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Themes that emerged from
focus groups were compared against predictors of requiring complex care found to
be significant (P<.05) after quantitative data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 184
patients (38.0%; 95% confidence interval, 33.8-42.4) received complex care.
Peripheral joint problems, unclear diagnosis, and symptoms affecting sleep were
significant independent predictors of requiring complex care. These data
supported some of the main themes raised at focus groups. CONCLUSIONS: A
substantial proportion of patients receive tier 2 complex care. Further studies
are needed to evaluate whether the predictive factors found to be significant in
our study might be useful for developing a tool for more effective triage to the
most appropriate tier of musculoskeletal care.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS