Evaluation of the First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) model of primary care: a qualitative insight.

This is a qualitative evaluation of experiences and discourse, not a test of whether FCP improves musculoskeletal health or reduces GP workload. The 39 participants came from sites with very different service models, populations and FCP capacity, so the findings may not apply to every FCP service. Data collection in Scotland and Northern Ireland was cancelled because of the pandemic, so transferability is limited. The FCP participants were experienced clinicians with advanced practice skills, so the findings may not apply to less experienced FCPs. Participants were recruited by convenience from services that agreed to take part, and patient access was often mediated by reception signposting, so the views may not represent patients who did not use the service.

The evaluation was funded by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy CSP Charitable Trust, Registered Charity No 279882, and The Work and Health Unit, a cross-government unit jointly sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care. The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Do not read the positive comments as evidence that first contact physiotherapy reduces GP workload or improves musculoskeletal outcomes. This paper reports experiences and themes from 39 participants, and participants said current capacity was too low to reduce GP workload.