Evaluating change in self-reported function and pain in patients with musculoskeletal concerns attending a physiotherapy student-led service.

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal conditions contribute significantly to global health burden through impaired function and pain. Physiotherapy student-led services provide a model for addressing community healthcare needs while offering clinical training experiences. Despite their prevalence, description of patient demographics and clinical outcomes (function and pain) remains under-explored.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate changes in self-reported function and pain and describe patient demographics and presenting musculoskeletal conditions of patients accessing a student-led service.

DESIGN SETTING AND

PARTICIPANTS

Observational pre-post study at a student-led musculoskeletal physiotherapy service in Australia involving ninety-nine community-dwelling participants (Mdn age = 29 years, IQR = 22-40).

METHODS

Final-year physiotherapy students managed patient care under senior physiotherapist supervision. Demographic and presenting condition data were collected at the initial appointment, while self-reported outcome measures of function (Patient Specific Functional Scale: PSFS) and pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale: NPRS) were recorded at all appointments.

RESULTS

A significant positive correlation was observed between appointment frequency and PSFS scores. At each appointment, the PSFS score increased by 0.8 units (95% CI 0.4 to 1.1, p < .001). There was a significant negative correlation between appointment frequency and NPRS scores, with each appointment associated with a 0.6 unit decrease in NPRS scores (95% CI: -0.8 to -0.4, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds to growing evidence describing patient-reported outcomes within student-led physiotherapy services, showing that patients attending reported improvement in self-reported function and pain. Limitations of a pragmatic service evaluation are acknowledged; further multi-site longitudinal research is recommended. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.