The Acceptability of Musculoskeletal Community Appointment Days: A Mixed-Methods Service Evaluation.
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Authors
Ingram, Simon
Gill, Jonathon
Stathers, Isadora
Jenkins, Samantha
Neville, Eleanor
Berry, Alice
Issue Date
2025-Sep
Type
Journal Article
Language
en
Keywords
CAD , acceptability , community appointment day , musculoskeletal , personalised care , physiotherapy , self‐management
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions represent an increasing challenge within the NHS. Rising demand has driven a national shift towards more community-based care and supported self-management. Community Appointment Days (CAD) are community-based, full-day events providing access to clinical expertise, community partners and voluntary sector services. The collaborative ethos facilitates a personalised and holistic approach to musculoskeletal health. This evaluation aimed to explore the acceptability of the CAD model.
Methods
Following a CAD in the Southwest of England, patient experience was collected using the Friends and Family test and CollaboRATE measure for level of shared decision-making. Interviews were conducted with patients, and a focus group was held with staff. The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) informed the interview and focus group guides, and data analysis. Thematic analysis employed a hybrid deductive/inductive approach.
Results
The CAD was attended by 130/160 (81%) patients. Experience measures were completed by 97/130 (75%) patients. The Friends and Family test demonstrated that most patients were ‘extremely likely’ (n = 63, 65%) or ‘likely’ (n = 32, 33%) to recommend a CAD. The average CollaboRATE score was 10.8/12. One-to-one interviews were completed with 13 patients, and a focus group with 10 staff. Four themes were identified: (1) a positive response to the CAD ethos; (2) the importance of effective planning and communication; (3) effective implementation of the CAD; and (4) potential impact and integration with existing musculoskeletal pathways.
Conclusion
The CAD was perceived as an acceptable, personalised, and holistic model of care that supports self-management and cross-sector collaboration for supporting MSK health.
Description
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properlycited.
© 2025 The Author(s). Musculoskeletal Care published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Citation
Ingram, S. et al. (2025) 'The Acceptability of Musculoskeletal Community Appointment Days: A Mixed-Methods Service Evaluation', Musculoskeletal Care. 23(3) e70152. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.70152
Publisher
Wiley
License
© 2025 The Author(s). Musculoskeletal Care published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Journal
Musculoskeletal care
Volume
23
Issue
3
PubMed ID
ISSN
1557-0681