Mejora en la eficacia de la intervención entre el fisioterapeuta y el equipo de Atención Primaria

Objectives

With this work, we are aiming to improve the efficacy and coordination of referral mechanisms between primary care physicians and the primary care physiotherapy team, to increase the number of correct referrals (including in the protocols) performed by former to physiotherapy and to reduce the incorrect referrals as well as to reduce waiting times for treatment.

Material and methods

A quasi-quantitative, prospective study was performed using a non-randomized, sequential sample of 198 patients referred by primary and specialized care. Delay (measured in days) and number of correct and incorrect referrals (guideline-based intervention) before and after the clinical session carried out by the primary care physicians of the Basic health care area of Nijar were evaluated.

Results

In regards to number of incorrect referrals (those not fulfilling the specified protocols in the guideline), P=0.0127 was obtained when using the Chi-square test with Yates correction Pearson. In regards to the number of referrals from primary care, a P=0.0015 was obtained when using the Z test for comparison of proportions, with a 95% confidence level. For delay time, the using the Student's T test with a confidence level of 95%, a P<0.001 was obtained.

Conclusions

Direct referrals from primary care are increasing and waiting times for physiotherapy treatment are decreasing, with improved integration of the work of the physiotherapist within the Primary Care Team, thus benefiting the user.