Physiotherapist Led Triage in Primary Care for Patients With Hip or Knee OA

Vastra Gotaland Region

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Osteoarthritis, Hip; Osteoarthritis, Knee

Treatments: Other: Orthopaedic surgeon consultation; Other: Physiotherapist consultation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06187116

PT-triage primary care OA

Details and patient eligibility

About

The overall aim with the study is to evaluate physiotherapist led triage in primary care compared to usual care (assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon in an orthopaedic department) for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis referred for orthopaedic consultation.

Full description

The primary aim of the study is to evaluate if there is any difference in perceived quality of care using the item "I received the best possible examination and treatment (as far as I can tell)" between physiotherapist led (PT led) triage in primary care compared to usual care (assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon (OS) in an orthopaedic department) for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) referred for orthopaedic consultation. Furthermore, to evaluate whether there is any difference in 2) perceived quality of care as a whole, 3) management outcome and hip/knee replacement surgery conversion rate, 4) patient reported outcome measures such as health related quality, pain and function in short and long term and 5) costs between the two care models.

Enrollment: 276 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Patients with hip or knee OA assessed by a GP at any of the included health care centers in the study, and referred on for orthopaedic consultation to any of the included hospitals in the Västra Götaland.

Inclusion Criteria:

• primary OA in hip or knee
• understands and speak Swedish

Exclusion Criteria (if stated in the referral)

• Previously been assessed for the same condition by an orthopaedic surgeon
• Referred by an orthopaedic surgeon
• Secondary OA due to fractures or osteonecrosis of the femoral head
• Referral to a specific orthopaedic surgeon

Trial design

Primary purpose: Diagnostic

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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276 participants in 2 patient groups

Physiotherapist led orthopaedic triage

Experimental group

Description:

Patients who are randomised to PT led triage will be scheduled for a consultation with a physiotherapist (PT) at a rehabilitation clinic in primary care in the Region Västra Götaland.

Treatment:

Other: Physiotherapist consultation

Usual care

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients who are randomised to usual care will be sceduled according to standard procedure for an orthopaedic surgeon (OS) consultation at the orthopaedic department of a hospital in the Region Västra Götaland.

Treatment:

Other: Orthopaedic surgeon consultation