Screening and Referral Practices for Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Private Physiotherapy Practices for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Qualitative Study

Physiotherapists acknowledge the importance of addressing co-occurring anxiety and/or depressive symptoms in chronic musculoskeletal pain management but face personal, patient-related and systemic barriers. Enhancing training, embedding validated screening tools, and improving interprofessional collaboration are critical for advancing mental health practices within private physiotherapy settings.