Sports and Exercise Medicine Specialty could Increase Costs and Reduce Clinical Partnerships

The Australian Physiotherapy Association congratulates Sport and Exercise Medicine for being listed by the Australian Medical Council and approved by the Minister as the first new medical specialty in 25 years.

“We are pleased that the creation of this specialty will allow these professionals to work to the full extent of their education and training” said Pat Maher, President of the APA. “However the government has failed to outline the implications for patients and other health professionals in relation to referrals and Medicare rebates.”

The current system requires patients of physiotherapists to go to back to a general practitioner for the sole purpose of getting a referral to a medical specialist such as an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon. Physiotherapists are well qualified to provide an appropriate referral however government red tape is a barrier to this occurring.

“It is unacceptable to the APA that the government would make any change that further extends the red tape and wastage in relation to specialist referrals making it harder for patients to get the most appropriate treatment in a timely, cost effective manner.”

“Minister Roxon has stated on numerous occasions that she is keen to encourage multidisciplinary primary health care. This is a golden opportunity to codifiy a system of non-medical referral to specialists which has proven over the many years to be an effective model of patient care in sports medicine.”

“Many APA physiotherapists have established businesses with sports physicians and these clinics will be at risk of closure if the government rolls out an antiquated model of specialist referral that forces all communication through GPs.”

The APA calls on the government to immediately clarify its intentions. Patients need to know if they are referred to a new Sports and Exercise Medicine specialist by a physiotherapist, that they will be eligible for a Medicare rebate.