The National Health and Medical Research Council has awarded the University of Sydney and their major support partner, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), a Partnership Grant for the PhysioDirect-Aus project. This research will explore the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and implementation of a publicly funded direct access physiotherapy pathway for musculoskeletal pain in Australia.

The APA and the Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) are major partners in this five-year project, providing significant funds and in-kind support, with the collaboration aligning seamlessly with the APA’s vision to improve accessibility to high-quality physiotherapy care for all Australians.

APA National President, Dr Rik Dawson MACP, said ‘publicly funded First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) is an efficient and effective model of care, operating successfully in several international countries and certain Australian settings. This research is an exciting step and will contribute additional valuable insights into how a funded model might be adapted and implemented within the broader Australian healthcare system.’

‘Let’s look at a real-world example. A publicly funded FCP pathway will allow the 8 in 10 Australians who experience low back pain in their lifetime¹ to directly access physiotherapists without a GP referral, ensuring timely and effective management of their musculoskeletal condition. Funded first contact physiotherapy will allow physiotherapists to treat people where and when they need it. This model alleviates pressure on general practitioners and emergency departments, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.’

‘Musculoskeletal conditions cost the Australian healthcare system $15.9 billion annually², and with many patients struggling to access diagnosis and treatment when they need it, a funded first contact physiotherapy pathway in primary care is part of the solution. A patient being able to access the care they need when they need it, without the barrier of out-of-pocket costs, will only improve their health and avoid their reliance on unnecessary surgeries, opioids and hospital admissions,’ he said.

Other PhysioDirect-Aus project partners include The University of Queensland, The George Institute for Global Health Musculoskeletal and the University of Melbourne, Musculoskeletal Health Australia, Brisbane North PHN and Central and Eastern Sydney PHN. The project will complement the APA’s long-standing advocacy for publicly funded physiotherapy and aligns with the APA’s 10-year vision to create a more efficient health system with better patient outcomes.

References

¹ Walker, B.F., Muller. R. & Grant, W.D. (2004). Low back pain in Australian adults: prevalence and associated disability, J Manipulative Physio Ther, 27(4),238-44.

² Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Health system spending on disease and injury in Australia 2022–23, AIHW, Australian Government.