In a recent statement, the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) criticised general practitioners (GPs) for their management of patients with knee problems and seemed to be blaming GPs for high rates of inappropriate arthroscopy in the UK. The statement was subsequently revised after criticism from GPs. The BOA seemed to be unaware that GPs refer patients to specialists for an opinion on further management. The decision to proceed to an intervention such as arthroscopy lies with the specialist - in consultation with the patient who has to agree to a procedure being carried out. The BOA also seemed unaware of how services for musculoskeletal problems are delivered in the NHS, both in primary care and in specialist settings, which is very worrying if true. Where I practise in London, referrals for musculoskeletal problems are made to an Integrated Musculoskeletal Service in which the initial assessment is made by a physiotherapist. Most patients are generally then referred for phys...
Updates from Imperial College London's Professor of Primary Care & Public Health