Evaluation of a New Advanced Physiotherapy Practice Model of Care for Patients in a Geriatric Pain Management Clinic: A Prospective Observational Study

New models of care (MOC) involving physiotherapists as first-contact practitioners in advanced practice physiotherapy (APP) roles aim to improve access and quality of care. The aim of this study was to describe a novel APP MOC in a geriatric pain clinic, regarding wait and care offered as well as patients’ pain, disability, and satisfaction. This observational study recruited 65 participants from a geriatric pain clinic in Montréal (Canada). Several MOC related variables were collected and compared with usual physician care. Participants had significantly reduced wait times compared to physician care (55.9 days, 95%CI: 30.4-81.3). At 3-month follow-up, participants reported reduced pain severity and interference (mean reduction of 0.6/10, 95% CI: 0.1-1.1 and 0.7/10, 95% CI: 0.03-1.4). High satisfaction with APP care was reported (VSQ-9: 8.9/10, SD ± 3.6). Initial data from this MOC reports reduced wait times and high satisfaction while improvements in clinical outcomes were observed.