Integration of primary contact physiotherapists in the emergency department for individuals presenting with minor musculoskeletal disorders: Protocol for an economic evaluation

Objectives1) To compare the average cost of an emergency department (ED) visit for various minor musculoskeletal disorders between two models of care (physiotherapist and ED physician or ED physician alone); 2) To evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of these two models of care over a 3-month period post-initial visit; and 3) To estimate the ICER of three ED models of care (physiotherapist and ED physician, ED physician alone, physiotherapist alone) over a two-year period. MethodsA randomized clinical trial was conducted among individuals (n=78) aged 18 to 80 years presenting with a musculoskeletal disorder at a Quebec City (Canada) hospital in 2018-2019. Two models of care were compared: management by a physiotherapist and an ED physician versus usual management by an ED physician. Participants follow-ups were conducted at 1 and 3 months post-initial ED visit. Obj.1: The health care costs incurred by the two groups during their ED visit will be calculated using the Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) method and compared using generalized linear models. Obj. 2: The cost-utility analysis over a 3-month time horizon will combine economic and clinical variables (estimated through quality-adjusted life years) using a Societal perspective. The results of the cost-utility analysis will be reported using an ICER. Obj. 3: The ICER will be estimated using a hybrid decision tree (0-3 months post-visit) and Markov model (3-24 months post-visit); the analysis will be conducted from a Societal perspective over a two-year time horizon. ConclusionThis study will help to determine which model of care is most efficient for the management of individuals who come to the ED with minor musculoskeletal disorders. The increased involvement of various health professionals in the management of patients in the ED paves the way for the development of new avenues of practice and more efficient organization of services.