Comparing patient characteristics and treatment processes in patients receiving physical therapy in the United States, Israel and the Netherlands. Cross sectional analyses of data from three clinical databases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many assume that outcomes from physical therapy research in one country can be generalized to other countries. However, no well designed studies comparing outcomes among countries have been conducted. In this exploratory study, our goal was to compare patient demographics and treatment processes in outpatient physical therapy practice in the United States, Israel and the Netherlands.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cross-sectional data from three different clinical databases were examined. Data were selected for patients aged 18 years and older and started an episode of outpatient therapy between January 1^st2005 and December 31^st2005. Results are based on data from approximately 63,000 patients from the United States, 100,000 from Israel and 12,000 from the Netherlands.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Age, gender and the body part treated were similar in the three countries. Differences existed in episode duration of the health problem, with more patients with chronic complaints treated in the United States and Israel compared to the Netherlands. In the United States and Israel, physical agents and mechanical modalities were applied more often than in the Netherlands. The mean number of visits per treatment episode, adjusted for age, gender, and episode duration, varied from 8 in Israel to 11 in the United States and the Netherlands.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The current study showed that clinical databases can be used for comparing patient demographic characteristics and for identifying similarities and differences among countries in physical therapy practice. However, terminology used to describe treatment processes and classify patients was different among databases. More standardisation is required to enable more detailed comparisons. Nevertheless the differences found in number of treatment visits per episode imply that one has to be careful to generalize outcomes from physical therapy research from one country to another.</p

The 8th September: World physical therapy day

Every day physiotherapists around the world strive to provide the best quality of services to their patients. The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), which was founded on 8th September 1951, has a goal to promote international health by encouraging the use of research in education and by exchanging opinions and information. For that reason, 8th September has been established as a day which ‘marks the unity and solidarity of the physical therapy community from 101 countries around the world’ (WCPT, 2010) and highlights the contribution of the physiotherapy profession to patient rehabilitation. © 2008, MA Healthcare Ltd. All rights reserved

Opinions of South African physiotherapists on gross anatomy education for physiotherapy students

Background: Physiotherapists know the depth of gross anatomical knowledge required for safe and effective clinical practice. They can offer insightful opinions on inclusions for and teaching of an anatomy curriculum for physiotherapy students. Objectives: The aim of this study was to gather opinions of physiotherapists as to what they perceive as necessary anatomy curricular content for undergraduate physiotherapy students and identify pedagogy that should be used. Method: A qualitative methodology using a grounded theory approach incorporating semi-structured interviews was utilised in this study. Theoretical sampling was used to identify representative South African physiotherapists. An inductive process, using continuous manual analysis of data by two independent coders, was undertaken. Data were collapsed until themes were identified. Triangulation and other strategies for trustworthiness of data were instituted. Results: Theoretical saturation was reached after five focus groups (n = 32). Demographical information indicated physiotherapists of all age groups and both genders working in diversified clinical areas. Seven themes were identified and incorporated information from ‘structure’, ‘content’ and ‘pedagogy’ for anatomy programmes to the psychological impact of course aspects on a student’s psyche. Vertical integration of anatomy into later preclinical years, incorporation of physiotherapists to teach anatomy, a ‘physiotherapist personality’ and ‘anatomy know how’ for clinical practice were included. Conclusion: Opinions of physiotherapists are important in identifying curricular and teaching considerations that can be incorporated into an anatomy programme designed for physiotherapy students. Clinical implications: Targeted anatomy education for physiotherapy students can aid learning and retention of anatomical knowledge necessary for effective and safe clinical practice

The perceptions of athenian physiotherapists on the referral service in Greece and its impact on professional autonomy

Background and Purpose. The attainment of professional autonomy is considered a priority of any profession. The development of autonomy in physiotherapy has differed among countries, with some achieving a high degree of autonomy while others have struggled. The current literature reveals little about the autonomy of physiotherapists in Greece, although it would appear they face both external and internal threats to autonomous practice and to the development of their profession. This exploratory study investigated Athenian physiotherapists' experiences of the referral system in Greece and its impact on professional autonomy. Methods. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was chosen, using a cluster sampling method. Ten physiotherapists participated in a 30-minute, one-to-one, semi-structured interview. The interview audio tapes were transcribed and an inductive analysis was carried out. When all transcripts had been coded, categories and themes were compared to record commonalities and differences to construct a hierarchy of essential themes expressing general views. Results. Physiotherapists were frustrated by the physiotherapy referral system in Greece. They revealed that their practice was restricted by factors, which included a long-standing dominance by the medical profession, bureaucratic process and the public perception of the profession in addition to restrictions from within the profession itself. To overcome the perceived restrictions to practice and the development of autonomy, participants had adopted strategies in an attempt to effectively address the patients' needs. Conclusions. There are clear issues related to the management and delivery of the physiotherapy referral system in Greece which impact on professional autonomy. Physiotherapists are forced to manipulate the referral system to provide a more appropriate level of care, resulting, however, in an inequitable service across the physiotherapy provision. If professional autonomy of physiotherapists in Greece is to move forward, these issues need to be acknowledged by governmental and professional bodies, as therapists can not be expected to undertake this journey alone. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd