Table 3 Study characteristics: Musculoskeletal

Amato et al. (1997) [45]

Sample^c Measure^c Analysis^a

Orthopaedic rehab, USA

Musculo-skeletal disorders N = 24,196

Retrospective cohort study

Short wait:

0–7 days

Long wait:

≥ 121 days

1. QOL

2. Patient Satisfaction

Authors conclude an association between shorter wait time and improved QOL but no difference in patient satisfaction.

Harding et al. (2013) [56]

Credibility^b Transferability^c Dependability^c Confirmability^b

Outpatient musculo-skeletal rehab, Australia

Musculo-skeletal disorders N = 22

Qualitative component of a mixed methods study (semi-structured interviews)

Short wait:

10 days

Long wait:

29 days

1. Patient experience

Patients who wait longer for first appointment report anxiety regarding physical deterioration.

Linton et al. (1993) [49]

Sample^c Measure^b Analysis^c

Primary health care unit (GP with referral to Physical Therapist +/− case manager), Sweden

Musculo-skeletal pain N = 198

Controlled trial (non-randomised)

Short wait:

3 days

Long wait: 9 days

1 Patient satisfaction

2. Pain

3. Workplace participation

Shorter wait time associated with improvement in workplace participation and patient satisfaction with short wait to first appointment.

Wait time not associated with pain.

Nordemanet al (2006) [51]

Sample^c Measure^c Analysis^c

Primary health care Sweden

Low back pain. N = 60

Randomised clinical trial

Short wait: within 2 days Long wait: 4 week delay

1. Pain

2. Function

3. Workplace participation

Wait time not associated with pain, function or workplace participation.

Pedersen et al. (2017) [55]

Sample^b Measure^b Analysis^b

Municipal rehab, Denmark

Elderly patients post hip fracture. N = 116

Prospective cohort study

Median wait: 8 days

Range:

0–64 days

1. Function

Wait time not associated with function.

Self et al. (2000) [52]

Sample^b Measure^c Analysis^b

Ortho-paedic physical therapy, USA

Low back pain N = 161

Retrospective cohort study

Short wait:

0–7 days

Long wait:

15–42 days

1. Function

Wait time not associated with function.

Wand, et al. (2004) [53]

Sample^c Measure^b Analysis^c

Physio-therapy outpatient service, UK.

Acute low back pain. N = 102

Single blind randomised controlled trial

Short wait:

0–1 days

Long wait:

42 days

1. Function

2. Pain

3. Anxiety symptoms

4. Depression symptoms

5. QOL

Shorter wait time associated with improved QOL and less anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Wait time not associated with function or pain.

Zigenfus et al. (2000) [54]

Sample^c Measure^b Analysis^c

Occupational health care/Physical therapy, USA

Workers with acute low back injuries. N = 3867

Retrospective cohort study

Short wait:

0–1 days

Intermediate Wait: 2–7 days

Long wait:

8–197 days

1. Workplace participation

Shorter wait time associated with improved workplace participation.