Video-based First-contact Physiotherapy in Primary Care

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects and implications of using video-based first-contact consultation in primary care physiotherapy, compared with traditional in-person consultation for musculoskeletal symptoms. The participants with musculoskeletal symptoms will receive either a video-based first contact physiotherapy consultation or an in-person first-contact physiotherapy consultation and will be followed for up to two years. The project addresses clinical effectiveness, healthcare utilisation, cost-effectiveness, and carbon footprint, according to the following specific aims.

Objectives

* To evaluate whether a video-based first-contact consultation with a physiotherapist is not clinically inferior to an in-person first-contact consultation, using the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) as the primary outcome measure and multiple secondary outcomes assessed over time.
* To analyse healthcare utilisation in primary and specialist care at 12 and 24 months following a video-based first-contact consultation, compared with an in-person first contact consultation.
* To evaluate whether a video-based first-contact consultation with a physiotherapist is cost-effective from a healthcare perspective and in terms of environmental impact compared with an in-person first contact consultation.

Conditions

• Musculoskeletal Diseases

Interventions

OTHER

Video-based first-contact physiotherapy consultation

Participants receive a video-based first-contact physiotherapy consultation. Following the assessment, individualised standard physiotherapy treatment is provided as needed. During the video-based assessment, participants will be in a setting of their choice and will meet a physiotherapist via video. The physiotherapists will be trained in a structured model for conducting video-based physiotherapeutic assessments. The rehabilitation clinic's standard platform for real-time audio and video healthcare visits will be used. The estimated time will be approximately 30-45 minutes.

OTHER

In-person first-contact physiotherapy consultation

Participants receive an in-person physiotherapy consultation at a primary care rehabilitation clinic. Following the assessment, individualised standard physiotherapy treatment is provided as needed. The traditional in-person consultation will be conducted at a rehabilitation clinic within the public healthcare system in Region Västra Götaland. The estimated time will be approximately 30-45 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Swedish Research Council

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Vastra Gotaland Region

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Elvira Lange, PhD · Vastra Gotaland Region

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-10-01

Primary Completion

2028-12-31

Completion

2030-12-31