PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Prasanna J Gamage
AU  - Saran Seker
AU  - Jessica Orchard
AU  - David Humphries
AU  - Kylie Fitzgerald
AU  - Jane Fitzpatrick
TI  - Insights into the complexity of presentation and management of patients: the Sport and Exercise Physician’s perspective
AID  - 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001228
DP  - 2021 Nov 01
TA  - BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
PG  - e001228
VI  - 7
IP  - 4
4099  - http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/7/4/e001228.short
4100  - http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/7/4/e001228.full
SO  - BMJ OPEN SP EX MED2021 Nov 01; 7
AB  - Objectives Sport and Exercise Physicians represent a relatively new specialty focusing on exercise in complex diseases including musculoskeletal diseases. Our objective was to describe the characteristics, type and complexity of patient presentations, their management strategies and referral information in Australian practice.Methods A cross-sectional study including a cohort of 11 senior Sport and Exercise Physicians in Australia studied all new patient consultations within an 8-week period. Data were analysed relating to presentation, referral source, follow-up referrals, and patient management strategies.Results Data from 419 patients were recorded. The majority, 97% (n=406), had musculoskeletal conditions, 53% (n=222) had one or more associated comorbidities and 47% (n=195) had ongoing symptoms for >12 months. Most patients, 82% (n=355), were referred by general practitioners. Prior consultations included physiotherapy 72% (n=301) and orthopaedic 20% (n=85). A multidisciplinary network of referrals from Sport and Exercise Physicians was observed, including 210 referrals to 9 allied health specialities and 61 referrals to 17 medical specialities. Over 74% (n=311) of patients received exercise-based intervention as part of the treatment plan, including 57% (n=240) physician managed exercise interventions.Conclusion Our work shines a light on the nature and complexity of the role of Sport and Exercise Physicians in an Australian practice context. Findings will assist in implementing measures to promote patient care at the community level in managing musculoskeletal conditions. Sport and exercise medicine stakeholders and government policy makers can use this information in developing appropriate programmes to support patients and create integrated sport and exercise medicine services for the community.Data are available in a public, open access repository. Data are available upon reasonable request. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information. Not applicable.