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
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
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 9 May 2025 |
| Event | World Federation of Chiropractic 18th Biennial Congress 2025 - Copenhagen, Denmark Duration: 7 May 2025 → 10 May 2025 https://wfc25cph.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | World Federation of Chiropractic 18th Biennial Congress 2025 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | WFC 2025 |
| Country/Territory | Denmark |
| City | Copenhagen |
| Period | 7/05/25 → 10/05/25 |
| Internet address |