Acceptability of physiotherapists as primary care practitioners for the care of people with musculoskeletal disorders: a French population-based cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objectives

In France, early access to physiotherapy for people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSKDs) depends on prescription and referral by the family physician in the physician-led model of care. The readiness of French people for direct access to physiotherapy is not known. This survey aims to identify the perceptions of French adults regarding physiotherapists' competence to diagnose and manage MSKDs if they were primary care practitioners, confidence in their ability to provide quality care, and satisfaction with the last episode of care for those concerned; and to identify factors associated with these three variables.

Design

French population-based cross-sectional survey.

Participants

A representative sample of the French adult population was surveyed between June 2020 and September 2021.

Outcome measures

Collected variables included previous physiotherapy experience, perception of competence to diagnose and manage MSKDs as primary care practitioners, confidence about quality of care, and self-referral preferences. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with these three variables.

Results

A total of 1000 participants completed the survey; 854 (85%) believed that physiotherapists would be competent primary care practitioners, and 920 (92%) were confident about the quality of care. Most had previously consulted a physiotherapist (n = 823, 82%); of these, 762 (91%) were satisfied with care received.

Conclusion

This large sample of French adults considered physiotherapists as competent to diagnose and treat some MSKDs as primary care practitioners, and that they provided quality care. Further studies should investigate the scope of care, safety, and efficacy of a direct access physiotherapy model.

Contribution of Paper

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  Physiotherapists were considered competent as primary care practitioners.
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  Participants were satisfied with previous physiotherapy received.
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  Our results support the implementation of direct access physiotherapy in France.