This project provides an overview of value-adding impacts of physiotherapists in non-medical prescriber roles in Rheumatology services to highlight the current and potential opportunities for healthcare when physiotherapist prescribing is enabled. An overview of value-adding impacts of physiotherapists in non-medical prescriber roles in Rheumatology services is provided to highlight the current and potential opportunities for patients and healthcare provision when physiotherapist prescribing is enabled.
A literature search and two practice scoping reviews were undertaken to September 2024 of physiotherapists using prescribing capabilities and undertaking medicines management activities in rheumatology settings. Prescribing roles shared as a travelling fellowship project were scoped, along with a search of publicly available HCPC prescribing annotation to identify rheumatology clinical interest group (CIG) members with prescribing annotation. Data was analysed to enable a narrative overview of the value of current and future opportunities of this prescribing-enabled workforce to enhancing healthcare provision.
Eight publications were identified relating to physiotherapist prescribing in rheumatology settings, with activities including new and review clinics supporting patient disease management combined with providing physiotherapy specialist input. A clinical practice survey of 97 physiotherapists working in UK rheumatology settings indicated 20% were non-medical prescribers and 31% of rheumatology CIG members were prescribers. A subset of 13 physiotherapist-led inflammatory arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis and stable patient review clinics across UK Rheumatology services indicates the value-added impacts of their prescribing capabilities on access to care, medicines provision, patient education, medication monitoring and safety. The unique value for many conditions is bringing together an individual's pharmacological and non-pharmacological management for optimal outcomes.
Processes to enable physiotherapist prescribing can be challenging and require robust evaluation in each healthcare context. Evidence provided in the rheumatology context illustrates the value of physiotherapist prescribing for patient access to life-changing medicines, but also the value-added role of prescribing and physiotherapy profession-specific knowledge brought to an individual’s care. profession-specific knowledge brought to an individual’s care.
This narrative review of published evidence and scoping of clinical practice and physiotherapist prescriber impacts highlights that supporting physiotherapist prescribing, medicines management, monitoring, and enabling pharmacological and non-pharmacological optimisation can be a key innovation in a traditionally medical model in many specialties’ service provision. Continuing to evaluate the introduction and impacts of physiotherapy prescribing roles is important to inform other healthcare contexts on the value of this professional innovation.
Advanced Practice
Rheumatology
