First Contact Practitioners - Physiotherapists
First Contact Physiotherapists are a relatively new role in general practice. The role has been introduced to ensure that patients receive quicker diagnosis and treatments for their musculoskeletal conditions rather than having to go through their GP for a referral.
It is estimated that up to 30% of a GP’s caseload is taken up with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, yet ultimately up to 85% of those conditions do not need to be seen by a GP and could be more appropriately dealt with by an experienced MSK Physiotherapist, often referred to as a First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP).
Read the NHS England and NHS Improvement 'Elective Care High Impact Interventions: First Contact Practitioner for MSK Services' report.
Assess, diagnose, triage and manage patients
Manage a complex caseload (including patients with long-term conditions, comorbidities and multi-factorial needs)
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, creating stronger links for wider services
Develop integrated, tailored care programmes together with patients
Ensure care is proactive, preventive in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention
Support patients to be confident in their approach to self management
Use a range of clinical skills which may include non-medical independent prescribing, joint / soft tissue injections, joint aspirations
Request and progress investigations and referrals
Manage interactions in complex situations, including with individuals with particular psychosocial and mental health needs and with colleagues across the primary care team, sectors and settings
Provide learning opportunities for the whole multi professional team within primary care
Work with MDT to develop effective, streamlined clinical pathways and services
Release of GP time through reallocating appointments for patients with MSK problems
Assess, diagnose, triage and manage patients
Manage a complex caseload (including patients with long-term conditions, comorbidities and multi-factorial needs)
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, creating stronger links for wider services
Develop integrated, tailored care programmes together with patients
Ensure care is proactive, preventive in focus and population based, with an emphasis on early intervention
Support patients to be confident in their approach to self management
Use a range of clinical skills which may include non-medical independent prescribing, joint / soft tissue injections, joint aspirations
Request and progress investigations and referrals
Manage interactions in complex situations, including with individuals with particular psychosocial and mental health needs and with colleagues across the primary care team, sectors and settings
Provide learning opportunities for the whole multi professional team within primary care
Work with MDT to develop effective, streamlined clinical pathways and services
Reduced prescription costs
Increased clinical leadership and service development capacity
Support in meeting practice targets
Reduced number of physiotherapy referrals into secondary care
Prevention of short-term problems becoming long-term conditions
Longer appointment times so patients feel listened to, cared for and reassured