Dear Dave,Thanks for the comments.
I absolutely agree that referral is a request for an opinion, and that
"physiotherapy" is not a technique. These criteria are not treatment
prescriptions - this is left entirely up to the physiotherapist. Similarly, I
agree that there must be flexibility - there will always be one-off patients.
However if doctors are frustrated by lack of understanding in referral, then
objective criteria can help clarify matters, especially for inexperienced house
staff. For instance, on several occasions we were called in to "treat" a
pyrexia, with no other pathology. This is hardly a good use of resources, not
to mention the stress on staff. It is extremely unpleasant arguing with a
doctor, especially if you are junior staff, or at 2am, or if you don't happen
to have literature to hand etc etc. Objective criteria would help to identify
those patients who need physiotherapy - if you like, they are the manual that
says, if your car makes that particular noise then your fanbelt needs attention
so take the car in.
Regards,
Carol David
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|