Physiotherapist-led care for musculoskeletal conditions in the emergency department (RESHAP-ED): a randomised controlled trial with economic evaluation.
Chathurani Sigera, Tarcisio F de Campos, Danielle M Coombs et al.
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In 30 seconds
The RESHAP-ED trial evaluated the effectiveness of physiotherapist-led care compared to usual care for adults with uncomplicated musculoskeletal conditions in five emergency departments in New South Wales, Australia. The study found that the mean length of stay was significantly shorter in the physiotherapist-led group at 2.4 hours compared to 3.4 hours in the control group, a difference of -1.0 hours (95% CI -1.2 to -0.8).
Key findings
- Mean length of stay was 2.4 hours in the intervention group versus 3.4 hours in the control group.
- The intervention group reported lower costs by $35.1 (95% CI -69.0 to -1.7).
- Adverse events occurred in 6.6% of the intervention group compared to 5.9% in the control group.
Why it matters
This study highlights the potential for physiotherapist-led care to enhance efficiency in emergency departments by reducing patient length of stay without compromising safety or health outcomes, which is crucial for improving overall healthcare delivery.