PHYSIOTHERAPY AND THE PHYSICIANS REFERRAL SYSTEM

The content of a physician's referral [PR] for Physiotherapy [PT] is extremely important with respect to holistic diagnosis and treatment decisions. It is required and fundamental for proper management of patients.

However, most of the PRs do not contain adequate or complete information based on the standard referral format, and most physicians refer PT on "Prescription Basis" rather than on "Consultation Basis".

Interprofesional working, powered by appropriate PRs, is central to good patient care, however, there are barriers to effective work. This is as a result of a poor historical and cultural background of the PT profession among other professionals

Physiotherapists are well trained and qualified to make clinical judgements in order to identify patient problems within their scope of practice and treat or co-manage the patient effecively

The use of PT on consultation basis is now being practiced in the developed world particular in countries where it is acknowledged as an autonomous profession.

The major problem PTs have with the PRs here is "Prescription" of what should be done.

This is ethically wrong.

The content of a PRs for physiotherapy should include

-Name and age of the referred patient
-Hospital File Number
-Name and signature of referring physician
-Date the referral was written
-The unit and department of referral
-Dianosis and brief clinical history of the patient.

This should then be referred to the appropriate unit in the physiotherapy department

[Neurology, Cardiopulmonary, Orthopedic, Paediatric, Geriatric, Women's Health, or Palliative]

Depending on what units operate in the hospital of practice

The Head of department of that unit should be addressed and then appropriate measures will be taken immediately as regards holistic assessment and subsequent treatment/Co-management.

Archaic Physicians Referral Method

Modern Referral Method

Physiotherapists working in hospitals where the archaic referral method is used should endeavour to seek avenues where they could discuss with the referring physicians as well as other health professionals on the proper referral system.t

This can be achieved via organized departmental or hospital seminars, personal communication and/or ward rounds.

Thank you