Enhancing Patient Care: The Vital Role of Physiotherapists and Emergency Medical Team within the Adult Emergency Department – A Narrative Review

Abstract

This narrative review explores the evolving role of physiotherapists in the Adult Emergency Department (AED), highlighting their contributions to patient care across a variety of medical conditions. Physiotherapists in AEDs have demonstrated significant impacts in areas such as early mobilization of trauma patients, management of musculoskeletal injuries, and facilitating recovery for individuals with cardiac events. Through practical interventions, physiotherapists help reduce complications like deep vein thrombosis, muscle atrophy, and pneumonia, while also contributing to pain management strategies that minimize opioid use. Furthermore, their role extends to improving functional mobility in frail older adults, preventing health decline, and reducing hospital readmissions. Despite facing challenges such as time constraints, interprofessional misunderstandings, and systemic barriers, physiotherapists are integral to enhancing the quality of emergency care. This review synthesizes current literature and presents examples of how physiotherapy interventions improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and contribute to multidisciplinary team efforts in AEDs. Further research is recommended to solidify the role of physiotherapists in emergency care and to explore the broader implications of their involvement in acute medical settings.