The evolution of physiotherapist non-medical prescribers

Hey, M.

doi:10.12968/npre.2018.16.4.158

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…As articulated by participants, prescribing within this role requires considerable experience, advanced clinical reasoning, and a change in approach to their consultation to carry out appropriately and confidently. The uncertainty of the personal journey as an independent prescriber was evident reflecting Hey’s ( 2018 ) experiences of an ‘untrodden path’ (Hey, 2018 , p159). Self-efficacy has been identified as a factor in influencing an individual’s competency to prescribe (Cope, Tully and Hall, 2019 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Loughran and Rae (2015) presented a specific case study on a usually active 26-year-old female presenting with lower back pain and neuropathic leg pain and concluded that prescribing by the physiotherapist enabled faster access to appropriate medicines and could be well integrated as part of specialist assessment and shared decision-making (Loughran and Rae, 2015). Hey (2018) reflected on his evolution from supplementary prescriber (in 2006) to independent prescriber (in 2015) and beyond, noting the loneliness and isolation of being one of the first of his profession to move into this area: the need to take personal responsibility to engage in developing prescribing-specific governance processes and strategic workforce planning to support and enable others on the path to prescribing (Hey, 2018). As a coping mechanism for the additional responsibility, Cope, Tully and Hall (2019) found a clear link between prescribing self-efficacy and the willingness to take responsibility for prescribing decisions in their study of non-medical prescribers (nurses, pharmacists, and physiotherapists) on acute medical units in UK hospitals, albeit only 4 out of 99 participants were physiotherapists.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is worth noting that unlike the current study, these views are prospective views and are not based on experience. Other barriers noted in the literature include frustration at the restrictions on certain controlled drugs in the UK, particularly if working in pain services or a FCP role (Hey, 2018 ), and some reticence around the extra responsibility related to patient safety and the “legal consequences in case of harm” that it brought (Holden et al , 2019 , p. 333).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The experiences of physiotherapy independent prescribing in primary care: implications for practice

Mullan

Smithson

Walsh

2023

Prim Health Care Res Dev

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aim: To explore the experiences of musculoskeletal (MSk) physiotherapy independent prescribing in primary care from the perspectives of physiotherapists and General Practitioners (GPs) and identify the implications these have for contemporary physiotherapy practice in primary care. Background: Legislative change in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2013 enabled physiotherapists holding a postgraduate non-medicalprescribing qualification to independently prescribe certain drugs that assist in patient management. Independent prescribing by physiotherapists is a relatively contemporary development in role change and purpose, occurring alongside the development of physiotherapy first contact practitioner (FCP) roles in primary care. Methods: A critical realist approach was used, with qualitative data collected via 15 semi-structured interviews with physiotherapists and GPs in primary care. Thematic analysis was applied. Participants: Fifteen participants were interviewed (13 physiotherapists, 2 GPs). Of the 13 physiotherapists, 8 were physiotherapy independent prescribers, 3 were MSk service leads, and 3 were physiotherapy consultants. Participants worked across 15 sites and 12 organisations. Findings: Whilst physiotherapists were empowered by their independent prescribing qualification, they were frustrated by current UK Controlled Drugs legislation. Physiotherapists reported vulnerability, isolation, and risk as potential challenges to independent prescribing, but noted clinical experience and ‘patient mileage’ as vital to mitigate these. Participants identified the need to establish prescribing impact, particularly around difficult to measure aspects such as more holistic conversations and enhanced practice directly attributed to prescribing knowledge. GPs were supportive of physiotherapists prescribing. Conclusions: Establishment of physiotherapy independent prescribing value and impact is required to evaluate the role of, and requirement for, physiotherapy independent prescribers within primary care physiotherapy FCP roles. Additionally, there is a need for a review of physiotherapy prescribing permitted formulary, and development of support mechanisms for physiotherapists at individual and system levels to build prescribing self-efficacy and autonomy, and to advance and sustain physiotherapy independent prescribing in primary care.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%