Feasibility of Physiotherapist-Led Rheumatology Triage: A Randomized Study
Authors' conclusion
PT-led triage was feasible, appeared as reliable as rheumatologist triage of referrals for joint pain, and led to significantly fewer patients requiring in-clinic visits.
Study context
- Population
- Referrals for joint pain to a tertiary care rheumatology clinicreferrals
- Participants
- 102 vs 101
- Comparison
- Physiotherapist-led triage with a standardized protocol vs usual rheumatologist triage of referrals for joint pain
- Physiotherapist (PT)-led triagen = 102
- Rheumatologistn = 101reference
- Primary endpoint
- Feasibility of PT-led triage in identifying inflammatory arthritis (rheumatologist diagnosis as gold standard)
Methodological detailsfeasibility study, single-centre, prospective, nonblinded, parallel-group, 1:1 randomisation
- Feasibility study
- Single-centre
- Prospective
- Nonblinded
- Parallel-group
- 1:1 randomisation
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Referrals triaged as urgent confirmed to have IA
P = 0.57
Further findings
Events
| Outcome | PT-led triage | Rheumatologist | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referrals declined | 24 | 8 | P = 0.002 |
| Referrals triaged as semiurgent | 6 | 23 | P = 0.003 |
Safety
- Inflammatory arthritis (IA) case incorrectly triaged, with significant delay to first assessment — Rheumatologist
- 1 events
Original publication
Feasibility of Physiotherapist-Led Rheumatology Triage: A Randomized Study. J Rheumatol. Published 15 April 2024. doi:10.
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