Benefits of Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy in Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Over the past few decades, physical therapists have emerged as key health care providers in emergency departments (EDs), especially for patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSKD).
PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to update the current evidence regarding physical therapist care for patients with MSKD in EDs and to update current recommendations for these models of care.
DATA SOURCES: Systematic searches were conducted in 5 bibliographic databases.
STUDY SELECTION: The studies selected presented quantitative data related to the care of patients with MSKD by physical therapists in an ED setting.
DATA EXTRACTION: Raters reviewed studies and used the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool to assess their methodological quality.
DATA SYNTHESIS: Fifteen studies were included. Two studies, 1 of weak and 1 of strong quality, demonstrated that physical therapist care in EDs was as effective as or more effective than usual medical care for pain reduction, and 6 studies of varying quality reported that physical therapist care in EDs was as effective as usual care in EDs in reducing disability. Eight studies of varying quality reported that physical therapist care could significantly reduce waiting time in EDs. Four studies of varying quality reported that physical therapists ordered no more, or even fewer, medical images than physicians. In terms of health care costs, 2 studies of moderate to high quality found no significant differences…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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