PHYSIOTHERAPY IN EMERGENCY CARE UNITS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67034/2786-8354.2026.20.2.08Keywords:
physiotherapy, emergency department, emergency medicine, musculoskeletal disorders, fast track treatmentAbstract
Introduction. The integration of physiotherapists into emergency care settings has gained increasing attention as healthcare systems face rising patient demand and operational challenges. Although this model has been implemented in several countries, its overall effectiveness, advantages and limitations remain insufficiently explored. This review aims to systematically synthesize the existing literature on the integration of physiotherapists in emergency departments for the assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions, focusing on associated benefits, limitations, and implementation barriers.
Materials and Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted across four electronic databases using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and relevant keywords and/or MeSH terms. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by at least two reviewers following a structured process, with discrepancies resolved through discussion. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using appropriate risk of bias tools.
Results. Eighteen studies were included, encompassing various study designs. The findings suggest that the involvement of physiotherapists in emergency departments may improve operational efficiency, particularly by reducing waiting time and length of stay. Reductions in waiting time ranged from 10 to 28 minutes, while reductions in length of stay exceeded 100 minutes in some cases. Patient satisfaction was generally higher in emergency care models incorporating physiotherapy. Four studies reported reduced treatment times, including a decrease up to 62.4%. Several studies reported improved discharge rates within recommended timeframes. However, findings regarding imaging utilization and re-attendance rates were inconsistent. While overall trends were positive, not all findings reached statistical significance, and variability in study quality limits the strength of the conclusions. In addition, evidence on economic outcome remains scarce and inconclusive.
Conclusions. The integration of physiotherapists into emergency care settings appears to be a promising strategy to enhance efficiency and patient-centered care, particularly for musculoskeletal conditions. However, further large-scale, high-quality studies are required to establish robust economic evidence and to clearly define the scope of practice and standardized protocols for physiotherapists in emergency settings.
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