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Patient attitudes and beliefs associated with self-referral to physical therapy for musculoskeletal complaints: a qualitative study.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Alshareef, N; Cozad, M; Macauda, M; Ostermann, J; Thigpen, C
Published in: BMC health services research
January 2023

Non-pharmacologic treatments such as physical therapy (PT) are advocated for musculoskeletal pain. Early access to PT through self-referral has been shown to decrease costs and improve outcomes. Although self-referral is permitted in most U.S. states and supported by some health insurance plans, patients' utilization of self-referral remains low.To identify factors, beyond legislative policies and health insurance, associated with patients' decisions to access physical therapy through self-referral or provider-referral.We recruited 26 females and 6 males whose employer-sponsored insurance benefits included financial incentives for self-referral to physical therapy. Between August 2017 and March 2018, participants completed semi-structured interviews about their beliefs about physical therapy and reasons for choosing self-referral (15 participants) or provider referral (17 participants) for accessing physical therapy. Grounded theory approach was employed to identify themes in the data.Patients selecting self-referral reported major thematic differences compared to the provider-referral patients including knowledge of the direct access program, attitudes and beliefs about physical therapy and pharmacologic treatment, and prior experiences with physical therapy. Self-referral patients were aware that their plan benefits included reduced cost for self-referral and felt confident in selecting that pathway. They also had negative beliefs about the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments and surgery, and previously had positive direct or indirect experiences with physical therapy.Knowledge of the ability to self-refer, attitudes and beliefs about treatment, and prior experience with physical therapy were associated with self-referral to physical therapy. Interventions aimed at improving knowledge and changing attitudes toward self-referral to physical therapy to increase utilization appear warranted.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

BMC health services research

DOI

EISSN

1472-6963

ISSN

1472-6963

Publication Date

January 2023

Volume

23

Issue

1

Start / End Page

80

Related Subject Headings

  • Referral and Consultation
  • Qualitative Research
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Musculoskeletal Pain
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Policy & Services
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Female
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
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Alshareef, N., Cozad, M., Macauda, M., Ostermann, J., & Thigpen, C. (2023). Patient attitudes and beliefs associated with self-referral to physical therapy for musculoskeletal complaints: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 80. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08989-x
Alshareef, Noor, Melanie Cozad, Mark Macauda, Jan Ostermann, and Charles Thigpen. “Patient attitudes and beliefs associated with self-referral to physical therapy for musculoskeletal complaints: a qualitative study.BMC Health Services Research 23, no. 1 (January 2023): 80. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08989-x.
Alshareef N, Cozad M, Macauda M, Ostermann J, Thigpen C. Patient attitudes and beliefs associated with self-referral to physical therapy for musculoskeletal complaints: a qualitative study. BMC health services research. 2023 Jan;23(1):80.
Alshareef, Noor, et al. “Patient attitudes and beliefs associated with self-referral to physical therapy for musculoskeletal complaints: a qualitative study.BMC Health Services Research, vol. 23, no. 1, Jan. 2023, p. 80. Epmc, doi:10.1186/s12913-022-08989-x.
Alshareef N, Cozad M, Macauda M, Ostermann J, Thigpen C. Patient attitudes and beliefs associated with self-referral to physical therapy for musculoskeletal complaints: a qualitative study. BMC health services research. 2023 Jan;23(1):80.
Journal cover image

Published In

BMC health services research

DOI

EISSN

1472-6963

ISSN

1472-6963

Publication Date

January 2023

Volume

23

Issue

1

Start / End Page

80

Related Subject Headings

  • Referral and Consultation
  • Qualitative Research
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Musculoskeletal Pain
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Policy & Services
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Female