Pushing musculoskeletal primary care to new frontiers: Musculoskeletal Comprehensive Assessment and Response in Emergency (MSK CARE) clinic in the Fraser Health Authority

The overall aim of this project is to address gaping holes in how musculoskeletal pain is served in BC emergency departments. We will develop and pilot the Musculoskeletal Comprehensive and Response in Emergency (MSK CARE) clinic in emergency departments in the Fraser Health Authority. This type of clinic diverts patients to a MSK practitioner for triage and management. Similar clinics are running successfully in Australia and Canada (Montréal, Quebec City, Kingston, Calgary, Sherbrooke). In BC, there are no similar clinics like the MSK CARE clinic, despite these types of clinics delivering “shorter wait times, happier patients and expert care.” We will measure whether the MSK CARE clinic can (1) reduce the amount of time patients spend waiting in emergency departments, 2) successfully re-direct (‘divert’) patients from the emergency departments, and (3) is an acceptable and feasible model of care. The findings will be shared through research publications, webinars, café scientifique, and infographics. The findings from this project can provide one solution to assist in tackling overcrowding in the Fraser Health emergency departments and improve access to primary care for all people with musculoskeletal pain in this region.