Post-operative Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Review Clinics

Initiative Type
Model of Care
Status
Deliver
Added
28 June 2018
Last updated
10 October 2023

Summary

Primary contact physiotherapists provide timely access to safe, efficient and equitable care for clients with uncomplicated arthroplasty and hip fracture surgery.

Primary contacts are Michael Murphy, Physiotherapist, Mater Health;

Email: Michael.murphy@mater.org.au and

Rebecca Ferrier, Physiotherapist, Metro North Hospital Health Service.

Email: Rebecca.Ferrier@health.qld.gov.au

Key dates
Jan 2017
Implementation sites
The Mater Hospital Brisbane, The Prince Charles Hospital. Other sites planned to commence later in 2018 and in 2019

Aim

To provide comprehensive, efficient, timely and equitable orthopaedic follow up services for clients following arthroplasty and hip-fracture surgery.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive and client centred management for clients following uncomplicated post-arthroplasty or hip fracture surgery.
  • Improved client access to timely, appropriate and safe care.
  • Decreased surgeon outpatient load enabling increased availability for surgical or outpatient waitlist activity.

Background

Using primary contact physiotherapists to manage uncomplicated arthroplasty or hip fracture surgical outpatient follow-up has been identified as an effective model of care in public health services. The clinics contribute to reduced outpatient service burden and facilitate increased opportunity for surgeons to see new patients, potentially reducing outpatient waiting times.

Post-operative orthopaedic physiotherapy review clinics have been successfully implemented, including arthroplasty review clinics at Mater Hospital Brisbane, The Prince Charles Hospital and Mackay Base Hospital and a post-hip fracture review clinic at The Prince Charles Hospital. These clinics were developed with assistance and collaboration from practitioners in similar services within the Department of Health, Victoria.

Solutions Implemented

Post-operative orthopaedic physiotherapy review clinics.

Evaluation and Results

Preliminary findings have shown:

  • Improved patient access with low rates of rereferral to orthopaedic surgeons.
  • No instances of missed ‘red flags’ (i.e. post discharge complications).
  • High levels of client satisfaction, with improved continuity of care and reduced steps in the client journey.

Lessons Learnt

  • Executive and orthopaedic consultant support is critical for the implementation of a new model of care.
  • Ongoing communication with stakeholders within the health services is important to support client and clinician understanding, acceptance, trust and uptake of a new model of care.
  • Clearly defined referral processes and protocols are required to support decision making and promote clinical efficiency.
Share this

Key contact

Rebecca Ferrier
Physiotherapist
Metro North Hospital and Health Services
(07) 3139 5238
rebecca.ferrier@health.qld.gov.au