A physiotherapy specialist clinic in paediatric orthopaedics: is it effective?

A physiotherapy specialist clinic was set up to reduce waiting times for non-urgent, new paediatric orthopaedic referrals. The outcome was reviewed at a minimum of 12 months for 1046 referrals assessed in the physiotherapy support clinic to analyse its effectiveness. Altogether 114 patients failed to attend the clinic. The remaining 932 patients form the basis of this study. Ninety three percent of these patients were managed without direct consultant intervention-72% with advice and reassurance, 17% by referral to the physiotherapy department, and 4% with surgical appliances. Only 7% needed consultant evaluation. Median waiting time for non-urgent conditions was reduced from 72 weeks in May 1996 to five weeks in May 1999. A majority of the parents were satisfied with the clinic. The clinic was found to be cost effective. The success of the clinic was attributable to good cooperation between the consultant and physiotherapist and a well defined protocol for assessment and management of patients.