Self-referral to musculoskeletal physiotherapy in the National Health Service (NHS): a mixed methods, four-domain analysis of 1,000 adult new patients initially assessed via telephone versus face-to-face

Introduction In some regions, NHS patients are able to self-refer to physiotherapy. Initial assessment and triage of these referrals is via telephone (PhysioDirect) or face-to-face (Physio Access Clinic). There is currently a scarcity of literature comparing both methods in physiotherapy triage. A multi-domain mixed-methods comparison was conducted to evaluate cost, outcomes & satisfaction of both methods.