Musculoskeletal physiotherapists' perceptions of health promotion

Advice-giving skills in pre-registration physiotherapy training

BACKGROUND

With increased emphasis on self-management in healthcare, clinicians need outstanding skills in offering advice and empowering patients to attain an optimal outcome.

OBJECTIVES

This study explores how undergraduate physiotherapists acquire knowledge, skills, and confidence to offer advice to patients in clinical practice.

METHODS

Convenience sampling was used to recruit 50 BSc and MSc pre-registration physiotherapy students across all years of study in one university in southern England, UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for first year BSc students (n = 13). Six focus groups of mixed BSc and MSc students were conducted, three groups (n = 15 students) were mid-training, and three groups (n = 22 students) were in their final year.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis identified 6 themes: advice content; a patient-centered approach; delivery; acquisitions; perceptions; and uptake of advice. Students placed high value on advice-giving, drawing upon multiple learning opportunities, however they felt under-prepared to deliver this skill in practice. Furthermore, perceptions of their student status, and pressures to perform on graded placements were reported to influence the advice they offered to patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Developing high-level skills in promoting self-management is essential in physiotherapy, this study highlights the challenges for students to develop these skills. Academic and practice educators must explicitly enable and support students to develop the knowledge and skills to confidently offer high-quality advice to patients.

A Survey of Practice and Factors Affecting Physiotherapist-Led Health Promotion for People at Risk or with Cardiovascular Disease in Cameroon

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and associated risk factors are a growing concern in Cameroon. Physiotherapists (PTs) can play a crucial role in prevention and management. However, the extent of Cameroonian PT involvement in health promotion (HP) activities remains unclear. This study assessed Cameroonian physiotherapists' current HP practices for people at risk of or with CVDs (pwCVDs).

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was administered online to PTs practising in Cameroon.

RESULTS

Out of 181 PT responses, 95% reported providing a variety of HP activities, including weight management (74%), dietary advice (73%), physical activity (69%), smoking cessation (69%), stress management (61%), and sleep promotion (48%). While PTs were confident in lifestyle assessments, they felt less confident about sleep interventions. Strong beliefs, confidence, team support, and time allocation enhanced HP practice. However, preference for passive modalities, patient adherence issues, organisational challenges, role ambiguity among healthcare providers, inadequate training opportunities, and the absence of established guidelines for CVD prevention negatively affect HP practice.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the challenges and opportunities for enhancing HP delivery within the physiotherapy profession in Cameroon. The findings are useful for future strategies by clinical practitioners and policy makers to address barriers and leverage facilitators effectively for scaling up HP initiatives in Cameroon.

Future-proofing the Profession: Physiotherapists' perceptions of their current and emerging role

OBJECTIVES

As healthcare systems continue to modernise, physiotherapists are required to transform their practice to remain contemporary and meet future population needs. The study aims to gain an insight into physiotherapists' perceptions of their current and emerging future role. The intention is to develop an understanding of the physiotherapist's role and how it can continue to evolve to support populations' needs in more sustainable and innovative ways.

DESIGN

A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews was undertaken informed by Gadamerian hermeneutic philosophy.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were gained from a postgraduate physiotherapy programme in Northwest England that recruits physiotherapists from across the UK; via the research teams' professional networks and using snowball sampling. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Ethical approval and informed consent was obtained.

RESULTS

23 participants (15 female). 4 themes were identified: 'An underpinning philosophy of practice' that promotes holistic care and supports patient wellbeing. An 'evolving role broadening the scope of practice' with many 'agents of change shaping the profession'. When 'preparing the future workforce and their transition into practice', graduates were seen as more adaptable and resilient. However, more affiliation between the university and placement providers to enhance learning environments is needed.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiotherapists need to re-evaluate their role so a clear vision for the future can be co-created to ensure they remain contemporary and continue to optimise their potential. An emerging role that re-envisages a holistic approach that incorporates health promotion as fundamental to this role could support physiotherapists' transformation in practice. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.