Get started
Work

Perceptions of the barriers, facilitators, and impact of manual therapists (Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physiotherapists) integrated into first contact National Health Service roles:A scoping review.

Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Introduction & Aim: Aging populations, overburdened healthcare systems, and dissatisfaction with musculoskeletal (MSK) care are driving new approaches to care. One potential solution is more strategic integration of manual therapists (MTs - chiropractors, osteopaths, and physiotherapists) into primary care models within national health systems. This scoping review aimed to explore the current peerreviewed primary research studies on integrating MTs into primary care settings. • Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, EBSCO, Connected Papers, and Google scholar databases were searched from inception to 30 July 2024. Additional papers were retrieved through hand searches of reference lists. One author screened the retrieved articles in title/abstract then full-text stages, and extracted the data, whilst another author spot checked decisions. Results were reported in tables and narratively. • Results: The search returned 855 articles, of which 29 were included in the review. Eight articles reported on chiropractors, 18 on physiotherapists, two on chiropractors and physiotherapists and one on all three MTs. Service users perceived MTs positively in a primary contact role and valued good communication and empathetic practitioners. MTs reported that co-location and shared values with medical practitioners facilitated integration through improved interprofessional communication and timely service delivery. Lack of MSK care as a priority was identified as a barrier. • Conclusion: Given the overall positive perceptions and impact of physiotherapists and chiropractors as first contact practitioners, all three manual therapy professions should make efforts to expand integrative MSK care pathways. More study is needed on chiropractors and osteopaths in primary contact national health service roles
Authors: Young, Kenneth, Deane, Faye, Axen, Iben, Eklund, Andreas, Skillsgate, Eva, Kwak, Lydia, Schneider, Michael, Moore, Daniel; id_orcid 0000-0003-2824-1239
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7023869054
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: