Introduction Assessment and management of longstanding hip and groin pain (LHGP) in primary care is not well documented. The aim was to investigate clinical practice for LHGP among general practitioners (GPs) and physical therapists (PTs) in primary care.

Materials and Methods An anonymous survey was developed specifically for this study and distributed online to primary care centers in Skåne and Blekinge. The survey covered assessments and treatments used, and ranking of these by level of perceived importance. Percentage of patients referred to tertiary care was also collected.

Results PTs (n=104) and GPs (n=62) considered patient history and hip range of motion the most important variables in assessment. PTs were more likely than GPs to use clinical tests (76% vs 19%, p=<0.001), while GPs used imaging to a larger extent than PTs (98% vs 58%, p=<0.001). Both professions rarely measured hip function using patient-reported outcomes (GPs 2%, PTs 11%, p=0.836), or muscle force output with dynamometry (GPs 3%, PTs 4%, p=0.134). PTs considered exercise therapy and advice on physical activity the most important treatments. 77% of PTs reported treatment duration less than 3 months. GPs commonly prescribed pain medication including NSAIDs (97%), paracetamol (100%), and opioids (69%). 92% of GPs and 98% of PTs referred 50% or less of patients to tertiary care.

Conclusion Assessments for LHGP differ between GPs and PTs in primary care. Treatment strategies mainly included pain medication (GPs) and exercise therapy (PTs). GPs and PTs referred 50% or less of patients with LHGP to tertiary care.