A descriptive study of physiotherapist use of publicly funded diagnostic imaging modalities in Alberta, Canada. (3rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gross, Douglas P.; Emery, Derek J.; Long, Audrey; Reese, Hilary; Whittaker, Jackie L.
• Is Part Of: European journal of physiotherapy. Volume 21:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 171
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03
• Subjects: Diagnostic imaging -- magnetic resonance imaging -- physiotherapy -- radiography -- health services; Therapeutics, Physiological -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; 615.8205
• DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2018.1505947
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2167-9169

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: In 2011, physiotherapists in Alberta, Canada were authorised to refer for diagnostic imaging (DI). To date, referral patterns for DI undertaken within Alberta's public health system by authorised physiotherapists have not been described. Methods: Descriptive study of all physiotherapist-referred publicly funded DI studies undertaken between January 2012 and December 2016 in Alberta, Canada. Data included: number of imaging studies/therapist/month, imaging modality, geographical region and body part. Descriptive statistics summarised studies across year, modality, region and body part. Yearly rates (exact 95% confidence interval) were calculated across modality and region. Results: Over the study period, 20, 280 DI studies were conducted. The majority (94.1%) were performed at community imaging clinics, with the remaining 5.9% undertaken at hospitals and public health centres. X-ray (76.4%) was most common followed by ultrasound imaging (USI) (19.7%) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (3.5%). Regional variation was observed with one urban centre accounting for 76.7% of studies. The annual number per physiotherapist was 31.4 referrals/year (95% CI 24.8, 38.0). The majority (99.95%) were of the musculoskeletal system including: spine (21.7%), knee (15.5%) and sacroiliac joint (12.0%) radiography. Conclusions: Physiotherapists typically request plain X-ray and USI of the musculoskeletal system, with less use of MRI.