BMJ  2004;329 (4 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7478.0-c

Triage, back care, and GP clinics help musculoskeletal problems

Targeted early access to musculoskeletal services (TEAMS), a programme introduced in northwest Wales to help manage demand for referrals from general practitioners, reduced waiting times for musculoskeletal hospital services and abolished duplicate referrals, even though referrals almost doubled. The intervention improved quality of care, say Maddison and colleagues (p 1325), and was associated with high levels of patient satisfaction. It offered central clinical triage, a specialised care pathway for back pain, and multidisciplinary clinics run by general practitioners for patients with uncomplicated musculoskeletal problems.

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Improved access and targeting of musculoskeletal services in northwest Wales: targeted early access to musculoskeletal services (TEAMS) programme

Peter Maddison, Jeremy Jones, Anne Breslin, Craig Barton, Joyce Fleur, Rhian Lewis, Luke McSweeney, Carys Norgain, Sara Smith, Carolyn Thomas, and Chris Tillson
BMJ 2004 329: 1325-1327. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]