The provision of weekend physiotherapy services in tertiary-care hospitals in Canada

To describe the provision of weekend physiotherapy (PT) services in tertiary-care hospitals in Canada.

A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted across tertiary-care hospitals, defined as those with university affiliation and at least one intensive care unit (ICU). Data were collected via telephone-administered questionnaires addressing hospital demographics, weekend staffing, workload, and weekend referral criteria.

A response rate of 84% (n=36) was obtained. Of facilities providing weekend PT services (97%), 35 (100%) provided care on Saturdays, 32 (91%) on Sundays, and 33 (94%) on statutory holidays. Weekend services were staffed using permanent full-time (n=35; 100%) or part-time (n=28; 80%) in-patient staff or outsourced staff (n=1; 3%). The number of physiotherapists available on the weekend was smaller than the number available during the week (p<0.001). Common weekend referral criteria included cardiorespiratory problems (n=35; 100%), postoperative assessment of patients at risk for deterioration (n=32; 91%), and patients scheduled for discharge pending PT assessment (n=30; 86%).

Both the scope and the number of staff available to provide PT services were less on the weekend than during the week. Despite the use of common criteria for weekend referral, variability in this service exists. Knowledge pertaining to current weekend PT services provides opportunities for harmonization of service delivery.