Stakeholder views on enhancing emergency department service through physiotherapist-led care: A qualitative study

Musculoskeletal conditions are a common reason for presentation to emergency departments (EDs) and place substantial demand on physicians and nurses. This study explored stakeholders' views on the acceptability and sustainability of physiotherapist-led care for patients presenting to EDs with uncomplicated musculoskeletal conditions.

This qualitative study was nested within the RESHAP-ED trial, which compared physiotherapist-led care with usual physician- or nurse-led care across five Australian EDs. Eighty semi-structured interviews were included, comprising 47 clinicians and 33 patients. Interview transcripts were analysed using a qualitative descriptive approach.

Patients reported high satisfaction with physiotherapist-led care, highlighting timely access, reduced waiting times, clear communication, and person-centred management. Clinicians perceived that the model improved ED efficiency, enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration, and optimised workforce utilisation by allowing physicians and nurses to focus on higher-acuity patients. Health service managers reported benefits for patient flow and ED performance. Key requirements for sustaining the model included greater staff awareness of the physiotherapy role, expansion of physiotherapy scope of practice, structured workforce allocation, and dedicated funding.

Patients, clinicians, and health service managers viewed physiotherapist-led ED care positively. Future policy and service redesign efforts should focus on workforce planning, clear scopes of practice, and sustainable funding.