Physiotherapist-Led Emergency Care Reduces Wait Times for Musculoskeletal Patients
Source Summary
A randomized controlled trial by the University of Sydney involving 1,491 patients across five NSW emergency departments found that physiotherapist-led care significantly reduced waiting and treatment times for musculoskeletal conditions including back pain, fractures, and dislocations. The study was conducted between November 2023 and March 2025, with results published in BMJ Open.
Why it matters
The findings demonstrate that integrating physiotherapists into emergency department workflows can improve patient flow and reduce treatment delays for common musculoskeletal injuries.
