The Value of Physiotherapists in Primary Health Care Clinics: Optimizing (Self-) Management Supports for Persons with Complex Health and Social Needs

Abstract

Given the growing number of persons with complex health needs, many health care jurisdictions are guided by chronic care models, 1 in which self-management is a key component of optimizing health status and service delivery. 2,3 Broadly speaking, self-management refers to an individual's ability to manage the physical, social, and emotional impacts of his or her condition. 4 Selfmanagement supports, often provided by health care professionals, aim to educate, coach, and empower individuals to gain the confidence, knowledge, motivation, and skills to manage their condition. 4 Examples of selfmanagement skills are forming partnerships, making decisions, solving problems, taking action, self-tailoring, and effectively using resources. 5 Primary health care and community-based services can offer self-management supports through structured programmes, such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed by researchers at Stanford University. 6

Recommendations made by patients, caregivers, providers, and decision-makers to improve transitions in care for older adults with hip fracture: a qualitative study in Ontario, Canada

“…Community healthcare providers require tools that have been clinically validated to identify older adults at risk for falls [ 43 ] and community-dwelling adults need to be screened, referred to, and able to access these preventative programs. An opportunity is available to mitigate these challenges by embedding physical therapists as part of publicly funded, community primary health teams for assessment and treatment [ 44 ]. Physical therapists have the training and expertise to perform comprehensive physical and screening assessments, provide self-management support, and assist with health system navigation [ 45 ]; thus, highlighting the important role that could be played in injury prevention for older adults in the community.…”

Evidence-Based Practice for Non-Specific Low Back Pain: Canadian Physiotherapists’ Adherence, Beliefs, and Perspectives

“…This depicts an image of outdated physiotherapy care wherein non-physical issues are not worthy of attention, which goes against the biopsychosocial model of care for NSLBP. Although not trained to intervene in psychological disorders or social issues, physiotherapists as primary care providers might be the only health care professional with enough direct and continuous patient contact hours to be able to identify potential issues that may interfere with recovery and guide patients towards appropriate management (Guilcher, 2018;Hartley, 2018). The role of the physiotherapy profession has evolved and continues to do so as health services change towards a holistic and patient-centred approach for the non-surgical management of long-term conditions such as NSLBP (Hartley, 2018).…”

Barriers and facilitators of integrating physiotherapy into primary health care settings: A systematic scoping review of qualitative research

“…Increasing access to chronic disease prevention and management by embedding physiotherapists in PHC settings might be a cost-effective and value-based strategy for providing more tailored, comprehensive, and holistic care [ 19 ]. In a PHC team, physiotherapists can assume several roles: they can work with patients with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, provide fall prevention training, and educate patients and caregivers about preventing and managing chronic diseases [ 20 ].…”