A recent publication by Professor Erik Cattrysse of the Experimental Anatomy research group at the Free University of Brussels and colleagues, highlights the benefits of direct access to physical therapy. The study, based on a scoping review of international literature, suggests that direct access to physical therapists offers benefits not only to patients but also to the broader health care system.
"In Belgium, physical therapy is currently only accessible through a referral from a general practitioner or specialist. This is in contrast to many other countries, such as the Netherlands, where the so-called Directe Toegankelijkheid Physiotherapie has been in place for years. The research shows that this system is successful worldwide and has no negative impact on the quality of care. On the contrary, patients experience faster access to care, without increasing costs or overuse of physical therapy." says Professor Cattrysse.
International data show that patients who have direct access to physical therapists receive faster care and are more satisfied with their treatment. Moreover, this approach lowers the workload of general practitioners, because patients with acute complaints can go directly to the physical therapist, without having to consult a doctor first.
The study further shows that direct access to physical therapy does not cause additional costs for the health care system. The fear that without a referral patients would use physical therapy too often and unnecessarily appears to be unfounded. In countries where direct accessibility has been introduced, it appears that patients use physical therapy responsibly and that care remains cost-effective.
In Belgium, the direct accessibility of physical therapy has long been a topic of discussion. The Federal Council for Physiotherapy, headed by professor emeritus Peter Van Roy, has long advocated its introduction.
According to Professor Cattrysse, the Belgian training system for physiotherapists is already prepared for direct accessibility. "Our physical therapists are trained to recognize alarm bells and refer patients when necessary. This enables them to act appropriately in direct access, without getting in the way of doctors," Cattrysse and colleagues said.
Reference:
Cattrysse, E., Van Den Broeck, J., Petroons, R., Teugels, A., Scafoglieri, A., & van Trijffel, E. (2024). Impact of direct access on the quality of primary care musculoskeletal physiotherapy: a scoping review from a patient, provider, and societal perspective. Archives of Physiotherapy, 14(1), 20-28. https://doi.org/10.33393/aop.2024.3023