Access to publicly funded outpatient physiotherapy services in Quebec: waiting lists and management strategies

Abstract

Our findings provide evidence that a large number of persons wait a long time for publicly funded physiotherapy services in Quebec. Based on our results, implementation of a prioritization process with an initial evaluation and intervention could help improve timely access to outpatient physiotherapy services. Implications for Rehabilitation Access to publicly funded outpatient physiotherapy services is limited by long waiting times in a great proportion of Quebec's hospitals. The use of a specific prioritization process that combines an evaluation and an intervention could possibly help improve timely access to services. Policy-makers, managers, and other stakeholders should work together to address the issue of limited access to publicly funded outpatient physiotherapy services.

Physical Therapists’ Perceptions of Telephone‐ and Internet Video–Mediated Service Models for Exercise Management of People With Osteoarthritis

“…For people with OA, exercise advice is typically provided by physical therapists, and of all allied health professionals in Australia, general practitioners most frequently refer patients with OA to physical therapists . However, many people experience significant challenges accessing physical therapy services , including difficulties obtaining referrals or appointments, long waiting times , and limited availability of care in some regional or remote areas . People with knee OA who have difficulties accessing appropriate health care often delay seeking care , possibly to the detriment of their symptoms.…”

Prioritization of Referrals in Outpatient Physiotherapy Departments in Québec and Implications for Equity in Access

“…Some patients may not even receive services due to waiting times or restricted eligibility criteria [4], while others face long delays before receiving services. Our research team found the median waiting time for publicly funded physiotherapy services in Québec, the second most populous province in Canada, to be 140 days [3], which is higher than the reported waiting time in Ontario [2]. In 2015, there were a total of 18,245 patients on the waiting lists for these services across Québec [3].…”

“…Our research team found the median waiting time for publicly funded physiotherapy services in Québec, the second most populous province in Canada, to be 140 days [3], which is higher than the reported waiting time in Ontario [2]. In 2015, there were a total of 18,245 patients on the waiting lists for these services across Québec [3]. Managing waiting lists is a challenge [5] and waiting list managers use various strategies in order to help them in this task.…”

“…Demand for physiotherapy services is expected to increase in the next decades due to the aging of the population and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions [1]. In Canada, demand for publicly funded outpatient physiotherapy services is already exceeding supply and access to services is often limited by extensive waiting lists [2,3]. Some patients may not even receive services due to waiting times or restricted eligibility criteria [4], while others face long delays before receiving services.…”

“…Used in 96% of Quebec's outpatient physiotherapy departments [3], prioritization is a priority setting process in which referrals are ordered based on pre-determined criteria (e.g., need for services, level of urgency, potential for improvement) [8]. The purpose of this process is to determine which patients should receive services first, inevitably resulting in advantaged and disadvantaged groups of patients in terms of access to care [8].…”