Physiotherapy in general practice.

Approximately nine per cent of all episodes and of all consultations in this practice during a two-year period were for musculo-skeletal disorders. Absence of ready access to hospital physiotherapy departments stimulated us to explore the possibilities of organising a private physiotherapy service.A scheme has now been in operation for over two years in which a physiotherapist treats patients on the practice premises. In this way it has been possible to provide prompt effective treatment at about one third of normal private physiotherapy charges. The scheme has succeeded from the points of view of therapeutic efficacy, of convenience to patients, to doctors and to physiotherapist, and of economy. The range of conditions treated and the results of treatment are described.