The Role of Physiotherapy in Relieving GP Workloads and Improving Patient Care
The Role of Physiotherapy in Relieving GP Workloads and Improving Patient Care
New Zealand’s healthcare system faces mounting pressure, with General Practitioners (GPs) often stretched thin, leading to extended wait times of two to three weeks for appointments. This situation can delay crucial medical assessments and treatment, particularly for musculoskeletal injuries. Yet, there’s a viable solution that remains underutilised: physiotherapy. By leveraging the skills of physiotherapists, we can not only alleviate the burden on GPs but also enhance the efficiency of patient care pathways, ensuring better outcomes for the public.
Musculoskeletal injuries, from sprained ankles to chronic back pain, are a common reason for GP visits. However, unless the GP has a special interest in sports or musculoskeletal injuries, the typical course of action often involves referrals—whether to physiotherapists, imaging services like x-rays or MRIs, or even orthopaedic specialists. This additional step can create unnecessary delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Physiotherapists in New Zealand are highly trained professionals equipped to assess, diagnose, and manage musculoskeletal conditions effectively. Thanks to evolving systems like Careway, a streamlined multidisciplinary pathway, physiotherapists now work more closely than ever with sports physicians and orthopaedic surgeons. This collaboration ensures that patients are quickly directed to the appropriate level of care, whether it involves surgery or conservative treatment. By allowing physiotherapists to serve as a first point of contact for musculoskeletal injuries, we can significantly reduce the strain on GPs while maintaining a high standard of care.
The benefits of this model are twofold. First, patients gain faster access to treatment. Rather than waiting weeks for a GP appointment only to be referred elsewhere, they can see a physiotherapist promptly for an initial assessment. If imaging or an orthopaedic consultation is required, these referrals can be made directly within the pathway, cutting down the time it takes for patients to reach the correct treatment. GPs remain an integral part of the process, receiving updates and communications to ensure continuity of care.
Second, this model ensures that healthcare resources are allocated more efficiently. GPs can focus on complex medical cases that require their expertise, while physiotherapists take on the bulk of straightforward musculoskeletal issues. This division of labour not only reduces GP workloads but also fosters a more collaborative and integrated approach to healthcare delivery.
Ultimately, the patient is at the centre of this scenario. Faster access to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment means less time spent in pain and uncertainty. Clear pathways for managing injuries help individuals return to work, sport, and daily life more quickly and confidently.
It’s time to embrace this shift in thinking. By empowering physiotherapists to take on a greater role in musculoskeletal care, we can create a more responsive, efficient healthcare system that benefits both patients and providers. As GP shortages and wait times persist, the need for innovative solutions like this has never been clearer.
New Zealand is already laying the groundwork with systems like Careway. Now, we must fully commit to unlocking the potential of physiotherapy to address the challenges of today’s healthcare landscape. The result? A win-win for patients, GPs, and the healthcare system as a whole.
