Data for ankle and knee evaluation charts
Accessible version of data for Figure 1
Figure 1 shows other practice statements and the percentages of GPs who reported the desired response of ‘always’. There were significant improvements for all four statements demonstrating that GPs who participated in a visit with a Clinical Services Specialist have changed their practice in positive ways.
Table for Figure 1: GP response to frequency of practice statements
| Statement | Participant before (response = always) |
Participant now (response = always) |
Control (response = always) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I would generally use history and physical examination alone to assess and diagnose acute knee pain | 18% | 21% | 10% |
| I refer a patient for knee X-rays when they are indicated by the Ottawa Knee Rules | 26% | 41% | 21% |
| I would usually rely on history and physical examination of a patient with an acute knee or ankle injury rather than imaging to guide treatment | 15% | 32% | 18% |
| I apply the Ottawa Ankle Rules to determine whether a patient with an acute ankle injury requires an X-ray | 24% | 50% | 33% |
Accessible version of data for Figure 2
Figure 2 shows a number of statements with the desired response to increase practice. The majority of respondents had increased practice in all desired areas or no change was necessary. The greatest change was reported in the application of the Ottawa Ankle and Knee Rules when presented with acute ankle and knee injuries (74% increased or intended to increase).
Table for Figure 2: Change in, or intention to change practice (increase)
| GP response | Application of the Ottawa Ankle Rules and Ottawa Knee Rules when presented with acute ankle and knee injuries | Use of history and physical examinations for diagnosis of acute ankle and knee injuries | Include in imaging referrals the relevant details such as examination requested, provisional diagnosis, mechanism of injury and history |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intend to decrease | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Have decreased | 4% | 2% | 1% |
| Intend to increase | 20% | 12% | 12% |
| Have increased | 54% | 43% | 36% |
| No change necessary | 20% | 42% | 48% |
Accessible version of data for Figure 3
Figure 3 shows the statements with a desired response to decrease practice. The majority of respondents had decreased practice in all desired areas or no change was necessary. The greatest changes were reported in X-ray referrals for both acute ankle and acute knee injuries (59% for acute ankle injuries and 62% for acute knee injuries decreased or intended to decrease).
Table for Figure 3: Change in, or intention to change practice (decrease)
| GP response | X-ray referrals for acute knee injuries | X-ray referrals for acute ankle injuries | Ultrasound referrals for acute ankle injuries | MRI referrals for acute knee injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intend to decrease | 16% | 13% | 9% | 16% |
| Have decreased | 46% | 46% | 34% | 32% |
| Intend to increase | 2% | 1% | 5% | 3% |
| Have increased | 2% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| No change necessary | 35% | 37% | 50% | 45% |