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Abstract

Background: Soft tissue injuries in pediatric patients are a common occurrence, often resulting in emergency department visits or primary care consultations. The traditional healthcare models for managing these injuries may not be optimal in terms of resource utilization and patient experience. This study aims to investigate the efficiency and costeffectiveness of a physiotherapy-led Soft Tissue Injury Clinic (STIC) tailored specifically for pediatric patients using an interrupted time series design.

Methods: An interrupted time series study was conducted over a 24-month period, comprising 12 months before the implementation of the pediatric-specific STIC and 12 months after. Data on the number of pediatric soft tissue injury cases, healthcare resource utilization, wait times, patient satisfaction, and costs were collected and analyzed. The primary outcome measure was the change in healthcare resource utilization and associated costs post-STIC implementation.

Results: A total of 342 pediatric soft tissue injury cases were included in the study. Following the introduction of the STIC, there was a significant reduction in the number of emergency department visits (p < 0.001) and general practitioner consultations (p = 0.003). Wait times for assessment and treatment were substantially reduced, with an average reduction of 35%. Patient satisfaction scores improved significantly (p < 0.001). Additionally, the costeffectiveness analysis demonstrated a notable reduction in healthcare costs associated with pediatric soft tissue injury management.

Conclusion: This interrupted time series study provides strong evidence that a physiotherapy-led Soft Tissue Injury Clinic is an efficient and cost-effective model of care for pediatric patients with soft tissue injuries. The STIC model not only reduces the burden on emergency departments and general practitioners but also enhances the patient experience. Implementing such specialized clinics may result in significant healthcare cost savings while maintaining or improving the quality of care for pediatric soft tissue injuries.