ECONOMIC, HEALTH AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY ACTIVITY IN THE REGION OF MADRID

P. Herrera Jiménez¹, O. Cures Rivas¹, M. Ruiz-Olivares García¹, J.J. López-Marcos¹, C.M. Rodríguez Peñas¹, P. Moreno Carrero¹, A. Araújo Narváez¹

¹Colegio Profesional de Fisioterapeutas de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Background: Physiotherapy, as a health discipline, has an important economic, health, and social impact. Whether in the private sector or integrated into the public health system, physiotherapists add value to the healthcare system, the economy and, society in general terms.

Purpose: The aim of this study fostered by the physiotherapy professional association (regulator) of Madrid region (Spain), is to quantify and value the contribution of physiotherapy to cost reduction in the regional healthcare system, research that had not been done until now.

Methods: To do so, we used a quantitative methodology, based on the analysis of information. This came from sources such as the Spanish National Institute of Statistics, PubMed, SABI, Colegio Profesional de Fisioterapeutas de la Comunidad de Madrid (regulator), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Business and information provided by our membership through a statistically relevant number of questionnaires filled by them. All data relates to the activity carried out throughout 2021.

Results: After analysing the data, it was stated that the annual contribution of physiotherapy to cost reduction in the healthcare system of Madrid was 469 million M€ with supply costs being equivalent to less than 10% of those 469M€, and a direct contribution to the Gross National Product (GDP) of 318 M€ (each euro of direct GDP generated 1.47 euros of total GDP (direct, indirect and induced)). In addition, for every euro of profit obtained from physiotherapy activity, €127 of regional GDP was generated. Analysing the benefits derived from physiotherapy activity, it is stated that in patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery, the reduction of post-surgical complications thanks to physiotherapy would mean saving 54.4M€. In patients with severe or very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, savings of 263.7M€ could be made (by reducing exacerbations and hospitalisations). And, in patients with postoperative pulmonary complications, associated costs (€45,000/patient) can be reduced by 25% to 75%. In patients waiting for coronary artery bypass surgery, the estimated savings from physiotherapy intervention (reduced length of stay and hours in intensive care units) would reach 9.5M€. Another indirect economic benefit is the reduction of absenteeism in patients with chronic low back pain by 50% or the savings from absenteeism of 340 M€ in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition to all of the above, we must not forget all the documented benefits of improvement in quality of life (22%), kinesiophobia (26% reduction), and pathologies derived from falls (56%reduction).

Conclusions: Therefore, we can conclude that physiotherapy is a powerful asset for the healthcare system of Madrid.

Implications: Physiotherapy not only contributes to GDP, but also reduces health expenditure both at a preventive level and in the recovery of multiple pathologies, as well as providing qualitative benefits in the autonomy and quality of life of users.

Funding acknowledgements: Sopported by the Colegio Profesional de Fisioterapeutas de Madrid, in colaboration with PwC and Rafael Delgado priceless help.

Keywords:
Physical Therapy
Economic
Social Impact

Topics:
Globalisation: health systems, policies & strategies
Globalisation: health systems, policies & strategies
Globalisation: health systems, policies & strategies

Did this work require ethics approval? No

Reason: This study is based on non-confidential data. It is not an experimental study either