Unity Rehab Care Pathway Consent Form

The Unity Rehab Care Pathway: Informed Consent Form

This form outlines the assessment and treatment components of The Unity Rehab Care Pathway, which integrates both Physiotherapy and Osteopathy disciplines. It is designed to ensure you are fully informed about the nature of the assessment and treatment, including potential risks and benefits, so you can make a voluntary and informed decision

1. Introduction to The Unity Rehab Care Pathway

The Unity Rehab Care Pathway is an integrated approach combining physiotherapy (focusing on movement, function, and rehabilitation exercises) and osteopathy (focusing on the body's musculoskeletal system, using manual techniques and rehabilitation exercises to improve function and restore balance). The overall goal is to restore, maintain, and maximise your physical function and well-being.

2. Assessment and Examination

Your initial assessment will be comprehensive and multidisciplinary, enabling practitioners from both disciplines to collaborate on your care plan. This may include:

Component

Verbal/Subjective Assessment

Movement Assessment

Hands-On Assessment (Physical Touch)

Description

Asking you questions about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and goals.

Observing how you move, perform specific activities, and testing the strength and range of movement of your joints and muscles.

Palpating (touching) the affected areas and surrounding tissues to locate and assess tender spots, swelling, muscle tension, and joint position/movement. This is essential for a precise diagnosis across both disciplines. Your practitioner will seek specific permission before any physical touch is required.

3. Integrated Treatment

Based on the assessment, an integrated treatment plan will be discussed with you. Treatment may include, but is not limited to:

Manual Therapy (Physiotherapy & Osteopathy): Techniques involving skilled hand movements such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilisations, and/or manipulations to relieve pain and improve joint mobility.
Therapeutic Exercise (Physiotherapy & Osteopathy): Prescribed exercises and movement re-education to improve strength, flexibility, co-ordination, and endurance, aiding both recovery and long-term self-management.
Acupuncture (Dry Needling - if included): Insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific anatomical points to manage pain and muscle dysfunction.
Advice and Education: Guidance on activity modification, posture, and self-management strategies.

4. Potential Risks and Side Effects

Your initial assessment will be comprehensive and multidisciplinary, enabling practitioners from both disciplines to collaborate on your care plan. This may include:

Common (Transient) Risks

Temporary increase in pain or stiffness in the treated area (often lasting 24-72 hours).
Fatigue or tiredness after active exercise.
Muscle soreness (similar to post-exercise soreness).

Less Common / Rare Risks

Bruising or local redness following hands-on or acupuncture techniques.
Temporary dizziness or light-headedness, especially after neck treatments or rapid position changes.
Serious adverse events such as nerve injury or vertebral artery compromise (stroke) are extremely rare but are associated with high-velocity manipulative techniques (used in both disciplines), which will always require a separate, in-depth consent process. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) is an extremely rare but serious risk associated with needling in the chest/rib area.

Your practitioners will discuss any specific, higher-risk treatments (e.g., spinal manipulation, acupuncture) and their associated risks with you in detail, and may require further written consent.

5. Your Rights and Responsibilities (UK Standards)

In line with the standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (for Physiotherapy) and the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) (for Osteopathy):

Informed Consent: Consent must be voluntary, informed, and continuous. You have the right to receive information about your condition, the proposed treatment, any alternative treatments, and the potential risks/benefits in a way you can understand.
Right to Withdraw: You can withdraw or modify your consent for any part of the assessment or treatment at any time, without prejudice. Please tell your practitioner immediately if you feel uncomfortable, experience undue pain, or wish to stop.
Chaperone: You have the right to request a chaperone be present during physical examinations or treatments. Please inform your practitioner before or at the start of your session.
Confidentiality: All your personal and medical information will be kept confidential in accordance with UK data protection laws (e.g., GDPR) and professional standards. Please note that information will be shared internally between the Physiotherapist and Osteopath involved in your care pathway for the purpose of ensuring integrated treatment.

6. Declaration and Consent

I confirm that:

I have read and understood the information provided in this consent form regarding The Unity Rehab Care Pathway.
I understand the integrated nature of the care pathway, including the potential involvement of both Physiotherapy and Osteopathy disciplines.
I have had the opportunity to ask questions and have received satisfactory answers from the practitioner.
I understand the nature of the assessment (including hands-on and movement assessments) and treatment, and the potential risks and benefits.
I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time.

I hereby consent to:

Receiving a comprehensive assessment and examination, including hands-on assessment (physical touch) and movement assessment, as part of The Unity Rehab Care Pathway.
The recommended integrated course of treatment, including the use of acupuncture/dry needling if deemed appropriate, as discussed with me by the practitioner(s).
The sharing of my clinical information between the Physiotherapist and Osteopath involved in my care for the purpose of managing my treatment pathway.

Component

Verbal/Subjective Assessment:

Asking you questions about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and goals.

Movement Assessment:

Observing how you move, perform specific activities, and testing the strength and range of movement of your joints and muscles.

Hands-On Assessment (Physical Touch):

Palpating (touching) the affected areas and surrounding tissues to locate and assess tender spots, swelling, muscle tension, and joint position/movement. This is essential for a precise diagnosis across both disciplines. Your practitioner will seek specific permission before any physical touch is required.