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.
To provide comprehensive, efficient, timely and equitable orthopaedic follow up services for clients following arthroplasty and hip-fracture surgery.
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.
Post-operative orthopaedic physiotherapy review clinics.
Preliminary findings have shown:
