People across the Highlands are being offered quicker access to physiotherapy advice and treatment support through a digital service designed to help those living with muscle, bone and joint problems.
NHS Highland is expanding access to Phio, a clinically supported service that allows patients to complete an online assessment and receive guidance without necessarily having to wait for a traditional appointment.
The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and works alongside the First Contact Physiotherapy service already available through local GP practices.
Patients begin with a short online assessment, which is reviewed by a qualified physiotherapist before they are directed towards the most appropriate form of care.
Those whose conditions are suitable for digital self management can access Phio Engage, which provides personalised exercise programmes and ongoing support from physiotherapists through a secure messaging service.
For people living in remote and rural communities, where attending appointments can involve considerable travelling, the flexibility of receiving support at home could make a meaningful difference.
Hazel Lyon, from Sutherland, has used Phio on more than one occasion and found the service straightforward and convenient.
She said:
“Putting your details into the initial assessment survey can take a little bit of time but you get a response within 24hrs and they activate the app for your daily use, with suitable exercises for the condition you are concerned about.
“It saves you possibly waiting weeks for a face to face appointment.
“Exercises are demonstrated with a video, written and verbal instruction.
“It is very easy to follow and you have the choice to change from easy to more difficult as you progress.
“I like the flexibility of this and I am able to do them when and where I choose, I even did them in a hotel whilst on holiday.
“You feel supported as you get follow up messages checking in with you every week and there is still that option for an in-person appointment if you decide that would be more preferable.”
Musculoskeletal conditions affect around one in three adults in Scotland and are among the leading causes of pain and disability.
NHS Highland believes digital services can help meet increasing demand for physiotherapy while improving access for communities spread across a large geographical area.
Judith Arnaud, Clinical Lead for First Contact Physiotherapists in General Practice, said:
“MSK conditions affect around one in three adults in Scotland and are a leading cause of pain and disability.
“In Highland we have an older, rural population with a rising MSK demand.
“Digital services such as Phio can help improve access to care, particularly in rural and remote communities, while reducing pressure on frontline healthcare services.
“In just under two years results show that around 77% of people accessing it were found, after clinical review, to be suitable for self-management, that’s three in four assessments that did not require an immediate appointment.
“Self-referral is on the rise but we also know that just over half of patients accessing it were referred by a clinician.
“Every Phio assessment is reviewed by a physiotherapist and the evidence shows that everyone who started a programme improved.
“Feedback is also very positive with 90% saying that they would happily use Phio again for an MSK problem.
“However, using Phio is entirely optional and does not replace access to in-person First Contact Physiotherapy appointments available through local GP practices.”
The figures suggest that many patients can begin managing suitable conditions with professional guidance without requiring an immediate appointment.
Importantly, the service remains optional, with traditional physiotherapy appointments continuing to be available through local GP practices.
For patients across the Highlands, Phio offers another route to receiving support, combining the convenience of digital access with assessments reviewed by qualified physiotherapists.
