As the biopsychosocial model of health has become increasingly understood, it has become
clear that there are complex, interdependent relationships between the physical and …

Background Evidence suggests that physical therapy through direct access may help
decrease costs and improve patient outcomes compared with physical therapy by physician …

Objective. To assess the effects of physician-centred gatekeeping on health, health care
utilization, and costs by conducting a systematic review of the literature. Methods. Systematic …

Background International policy advocates for direct access, but the extent to which it exists
worldwide was unknown. Objective The purpose of this study was to map the presence of …

Purpose To update and appraise the available evidence with respect to the impact of direct
access physiotherapy compared to primary care physician-led usual medical care for …

Background Grooving evidence suggests that patients could have Direct Access (DA) to
physiotherapy. It represents a new model of care, which might lead to improve patients' …

Musculoskeletal pain is common across all populations and costly in terms of impact on the
individual and, more generally, on society. In most health-care systems, the first person to …

Introduction The demand for musculoskeletal (MSK) care is rising, and is a growing
challenge for general practice. Direct access to physiotherapy and other healthcare services …

Background In 2006, direct access to physical therapy was introduced in the Netherlands.
Before this policy measure, evaluation and treatment by a physical therapist were only …

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate primary physiotherapist assessment and management of patients
with musculoskeletal disorders in primary care, and to compare patient satisfaction with …