Ambulatory care or home-based treatment? An economic evaluation of two physiotherapy delivery options for people with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective. To assess the difference in costs of home-based versus clinic-based physiotherapy (PT)for

Disease‐specific knowledge and clinical skills required by community‐based physiotherapists to co‐manage patients with rheumatoid arthritis

“…In addressing these issues, governments recognize the importance of improving and expanding community-based primary care services for individuals with chronic health conditions (9,10). Because the role of physiotherapy in managing RA is substantiated by a strong evidence base (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21), engaging communitybased physiotherapists in management of patients with RA is warranted (8,22). However, whether the current community-based physiotherapy workforce is capable of meeting the likely growing demand for RA-specific physiotherapy services is unknown.…”

Glycine receptor‐mediated synaptic transmission regulates the maturation of ganglion cell synaptic connectivity

“…In addressing these issues, governments recognize the importance of improving and expanding community‐based primary care services for individuals with chronic health conditions (9, 10). Because the role of physiotherapy in managing RA is substantiated by a strong evidence base (11–21), engaging community‐based physiotherapists in management of patients with RA is warranted (8, 22). However, whether the current community‐based physiotherapy workforce is capable of meeting the likely growing demand for RA‐specific physiotherapy services is unknown.…”

Primary therapist model for patients referred for rheumatoid arthritis rehabilitation: A cost‐effectiveness analysis

“…Costs of visits to physicians, procedures performed, and investigative tests undertaken were obtained from the Schedule of Benefits for Physicians and Laboratory Services, Ontario Ministry of Health (15). Primary therapist treatment costs were previously reported following a comprehensive costing methodology, which accounted for direct patient care (i.e., assessment and treatment time) and indirect time (i.e., record keeping, travel time for providing home visits) (8). We applied the OHIP reimbursement schedule to all publicly funded PT/OT visits at an outpatient clinic.…”

“…In the late 1990s, the cost per visit provided by a primary therapist with a PT background ranged from $81 Canadian (∼$67 US) for a clinic visit to $90 Canadian (∼$75 US) for a home visit. This was substantially higher than the cost of services provided in community clinics, which were reimbursed at $12.20 Canadian (∼$10 US) per visit by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) (8). To determine whether the PTM is an economically viable option to provide RA rehabilitation, we conducted a cost‐effectiveness analysis of the PTM against the TTM within the context of a 6‐month RCT (7).…”