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       #Post#: 282--------------------------------------------------
       Reduce admission by using self-referral musculoskeletal physioth
       erapy service
       By: Annabeli5 Date: May 28, 2015, 2:50 am
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       How to reduce cost and provide better care for patients by using
       self-referral musculoskeletal physiotherapy service?
       #Post#: 288--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Reduce admission by using self-referral musculoskeletal phys
       iotherapy service
       By: admini5 Date: May 28, 2015, 3:10 am
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       Prompt treatment by a physiotherapist in the early phase of an
       injury can improve recovery; enabling a person to return to
       their 'normal life' as soon as possible. The self-referral
       pilots (see Contacts and resources) have shown that people who
       self-refer to physiotherapy take fewer days off work, and are
       half as likely to be off work for longer than a month, when
       compared with people who have been referred using more
       conventional routes.
       Self-referral fits with the NHS choice and personal control
       agenda by encouraging personal responsibility for health-focused
       behaviour and providing convenient, responsive services
       (Department of health 2006, 2008a).
       The initiative means that people can refer themselves directly
       to their local NHS physiotherapy practice, as long as they are
       16 years or over and they do not have neurological, breathing or
       gynaecological problems. A person wanting physiotherapy
       completes a self-referral form (on paper, online or by
       telephone), which includes answering red flag symptom questions
       that may indicate a more serious underlying health condition
       requiring referral to a medical specialist. A physiotherapist
       assesses the form and, based on pre-determined clinical
       criteria, identifies whether the referral is classed as urgent,
       routine, or one requiring signposting to another service. Self
       referral is a 'step change' and could be included in all
       musculoskeletal physiotherapy services.
       There is concern that introducing self-referral will increase
       demand for physiotherapy services beyond current capacities.
       However, it has been shown that provided the service is not
       historically under-referred to (referral rate of less than 50
       per 1000), introducing self-referral does not lead to increased
       long term demand (Department of Health 2008b). During the first
       three months there may be some increase in demand as patients
       access the service more quickly, but levels revert to normal
       within this timeframe. Such observations have been seen in both
       studies (Holdsworth 2007, Department of Health 2008b) and from
       pilot services which have implemented self-referral.
       For further information, go to :
  HTML https://arms.evidence.nhs.uk/resources/qipp/29492/attachment
  HTML https://arms.evidence.nhs.uk/resources/qipp/29492/attachment
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