To gain accreditation to make MRI referrals, GPs and NPs must attend an in-person education session and complete online learning modules.
The GP MRI service allows GPs and NPs to refer MRI scans with the support of clinical guidelines. This expedites patients getting the necessary and appropriate health intervention to recover from musculoskeletal injuries, as the ‘first specialist appointment’ is avoided and a proportion of patients are no longer referred to a specialist for further assessment after diagnosis.
The pathways focus on patients with knee and back (cervical and lumbar spine) injuries. Historically, GPs could only refer for a low-tech imaging X-ray or ultrasound, with all high-tech imaging restricted to specialist requests. This is no longer the case and therefore the time to definitive diagnosis for patients requiring MRI for knee or back injury reduces by an average of 16 working days.
These clinical pathways allow GPs and NPs to triage patients and ensures referrals to orthopaedic specialists are more informed and appropriate. This frees up specialist time to focus on those patients who are most in need. It strengthens relationships between primary care and specialists, integrating health providers to deliver the best outcome for patients.
GPs and NPs are well placed to make the clinical decision on whether MRI is required. They can then determine treatment plans more efficiently, whether that be GP management, active rehabilitation through physiotherapy, or referral to a specialist.
If you are interested, please attend the musculoskeletal practical assessment session lead by ProCare clinical directors and expert physiotherapists.
Please register for the session here.
Education sessions offer 1 Professional Development point per hour, and there are also online learning modules to complete. Throughout the service, all GP referrals are audited for adherence to guidelines which can then contribute to their MOPS program.
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