An architecture for electronic prescribing in physiotherapy in Belgium

Abstract

This paper describes the architecture designed for the introduction of the electronic physiotherapy prescription in Belgium. Based on the model for the ambulatory medication prescription, which is currently in a national roll-out phase, we constructed a model that takes into account the particularities of the physiotherapy domain as well as all legal regulations. We focus on key components of the project: the technical building blocks and the prescription content. We illustrate the data-flow and use-case with two specific examples comprising both the normal physiotherapy prescribing situation as well as more complex situations where missing information are dealt with. Furthermore, we elaborate on the implementation and patient involvement. The proposed model provides a good starting point for a fully structured record system in physiotherapy and includes international standards for diagnosis coding. The architecture allows pilot testing to be started in 2016 and national roll-out of the system in course during 2017.