Table 1 Summary of participant characteristics according to the interview sampling criteria

Gender

Male

26

46

Female

31

54

Age

Mean (SD)

58 (16.88)

Range

19–87

Trial arm and patient group

PhysioDirect arm: telephone care only

25

44

PhysioDirect arm: telephone and face-to-face care

13

23

PhysioDirect arm: did not contact the service

10

17

Usual physiotherapy care arm

9

16

PCT

PCT A

17

30

PCT B

15

26

PCT C

13

23

PCT D

12

21

Site of musculoskeletal complaint

Lower limb

23

40

Upper limb

14

21

Cervical spine

5

25

Lumbar spine

12

9

Multiple areas of pain

3

5