Advanced Practice Physiotherapy Care in Emergency Departments

The experimental arm will receive advanced physiotherapy care (APP) care. Patients will be independently managed (assessment and intervention) by a PT. The PT will make a diagnosis and initiate an intervention plan (e.g. education and exercise). If relevant, the PT will make recommendations for medical imaging tests or medication. PTs will also recommend the proper discharge from the emergency department (ED), such as hospitalization, discharge without medical consultation/follow-up or discharge with a medical follow-up or rehabilitation in an outpatient setting.

The control arm will receive usual ED physician care delivered only by an ED physician. This will include independent assessment, treatment and discharge by an ED physician with no physiotherapy within the ED but physician's referral to outpatient physiotherapy or other professionals/medical specialists will be possible; overall care offered by the ED physician will not be standardized but will be systematically documented.