Factors influencing clinical practice guideline uptake by South African physiotherapists: A qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators

Barriers and facilitators for strengthening physiotherapy services in Nepal: perspectives from physiotherapists and health providers

BACKGROUND

Physiotherapy provides non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical intervention for curative, rehabilitation and preventative purposes. Physiotherapy is also a central provider of health promotion. As the global burden of non-communicable diseases and chronic health conditions is rising, the importance of physiotherapy services increases. Unfortunately, physiotherapy services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are generally unsatisfactory. In Nepal, the earthquake in 2015 and the COVID pandemic have clearly illuminated the importance of physiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators at different system levels for strengthening physiotherapy services in Nepal.

METHODS

Forty semi-structured individual interviews were performed with different health providers. Transcribed interviews were assessed with thematic analysis. A five-level socioecological framework conceptualised multilevel determinants of barriers and facilitators.

RESULTS

The study revealed various factors that were potential barriers and facilitators across five different levels, namely individual (taking the lead, need for advocacy), interpersonal (lack of recognition and autonomy, networking for referrals and coordination), community (lack of knowledge and awareness, social and family support), organisational (accessibility, workplace and clinical practice, educational opportunities, role of organisations and rehabilitation centres), and public policy level (planning and implementation of policies and programs, medical hegemony, priorities). Government officials, local leaders, and clinicians, half of whom were physiotherapists, agreed on many of the same issues, where a lack of awareness of what physiotherapy is and knowledge about what physiotherapists do was central.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide information for the development of physiotherapy by pointing out key elements that need attention. Our broad and structured investigation strategy is applicable to others for a comprehensive analysis of barriers and facilitators for physiotherapy services.

Implementation of the "clinical framework for the delivery of health services" by treating healthcare professionals: perspectives of regulators and insurers

PURPOSE

To understand the current utilisation of the clinical framework for delivery of health services to manage compensable musculoskeletal injuries from the perspectives of insurer case managers and clinical panel members.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a qualitative descriptive approach, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of key organisations including WorkSafe Victoria and Transport Accident Commission Victoria. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Four over-arching themes were identified: (i) current use of the framework and principles is suboptimal leading to several problems including lack of evidence-based treatment by clinicians; (ii) barriers to optimal use of the framework include lack of adequate training of healthcare professionals on the framework principles and financial aspects of the compensation system; (iii) utilisation of the framework could be improved with training from peak associations, insurers, and regulating bodies; and (iv) optimal use of the framework will result in better health and work outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The current use of the framework and its principles is suboptimal but can be improved by addressing the identified barriers.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONRehabilitation of compensable musculoskeletal injuries is often complex.Implementing the "Clinical Framework for Delivery of Health Services" can lead to provision of time and cost effective, evidence-based rehabilitation for compensable injuries, ultimately improving patient outcomes.Clinicians can enhance the implementation of the framework principles by integrating evidence-based practice and recommendations from clinical practice guidelines in treatment of compensable musculoskeletal injuries.Implementation of the framework principles may be enhanced by reviewing the compensation funding model to allow the healthcare practitioners adequate time and remuneration to adopt the framework principles when treating persons with compensable injuries.

Exploring the barriers to Registered Nurses undertaking clinical teaching in clinical settings: A qualitative descriptive study

AIM

The study aimed to explore and describe the barriers affecting Registered Nurses in undertaking clinical teaching in clinical settings. The exploration was based on the experiences of Registered Nurses at a selected teaching hospital in Namibia. The researcher intended to identify strategies that could be used to mitigate the negative effects of barriers to effective clinical teaching.

DESIGN

A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used.

METHODS

Purposive sampling was used to select 16 participants. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Clinical teaching is negatively affected by several barriers that hamper clinical teaching and nursing students' learning outcomes. Seven main themes were identified: (1) participants' understanding of clinical teaching; (2) organizational barriers; (3) patient barriers; (4) Registered Nurse barriers; (5) student barriers; (6) training institution barriers; and (7) strategies to mitigate barriers to clinical teaching.

CONCLUSION

The findings revealed that several barriers negatively affect clinical nursing education and hamper the clinical teaching and learning of nursing students.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This study may assist in the development of targeted interventions that address the barriers that hinder clinical teaching at teaching hospitals. Additionally, this study could assist in improving the health care that is provided by nursing students to patients. The findings may assist with improved quality by reducing nursing students' theory-practice gap and by promoting collaboration between Registered Nurses and nurse educators in clinical settings.

Qualitative research in physiotherapy: A systematic mapping review of 20 years literature from sub-Saharan Africa

STUDY AIM

To summarize the current state and quality of qualitative research conducted by physiotherapists in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS

We systematically searched multiple databases from 2000 to December 2020 and included peer-reviewed qualitative studies conducted by physiotherapists in SSA countries. Two reviewers independently screened citations, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies using the 45-items checklist by Lundgren, and colleagues. Conventional content analysis was employed to create physiotherapy subject areas from the included studies.

RESULTS

We included 114 studies, a majority of 84 (74%) conducted in South Africa. Included studies were categorized into five subject areas: sports (n = 2), disability (n = 16), professional practice (n = 24), education and training (n = 36), and care provision (n = 36). We rated 74 (65%), 29 (25%), and 11 (10%) of the included research as low reporting quality, moderate- and high reporting quality, respectively. There was a significant lack of reporting on researchers' team characteristics, reflexivity, and member checking.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the reporting of published qualitative studies in SSA shows variable quality, albeit mostly low, focused mainly on care provision, education, and training. Physiotherapy-researchers are encouraged to report reflexive practice and member checking when conducting qualitative research.

Knowledge translation in rehabilitation settings in low, lower-middle and upper-middle-income countries: a scoping review

PURPOSE

This review aims to identify the barriers and facilitators to knowledge use and Knowledge Translation (KT) strategies in rehabilitation in low, lower-middle, and upper-middle-income countries (LMICs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A scoping review of studies of KT in rehabilitation in LMICs contexts using the Arksey and O'Malley Framework was conducted. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE and 10 other databases was undertaken to identify studies conducted primarily in LMICs.

RESULTS

From the initial 15.606 titles identified; 27 articles were included for final analysis. Our analysis identified the following themes: Professional culture and context; KT interventions; and the conceptualization and application of KT and Evidence Based Practice (EBP). Individual-level barriers to KT included lack of skills, knowledge about EBP and English language, lack of motivation, and decision-making power. Facilitators to KT included positive attitudes and motivation. Organization-level barriers included lack of time, lack of financial resources, limited access to scientific journals, and applicability of research to rural settings. Facilitators included adequate financial and physical resources, a supportive management environment, and the existence of training and continuing education programs.

CONCLUSION

This review identified common and unique barriers and facilitators to KT in LMICs when compared to KT studies conducted in high-income settings.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONKnowledge Translation from academic institutions to rehabilitation clinical practice in low and upper-middle-income countries is important to support evidence-based practice and patient outcomes.Barriers at the individual level include professionals' ability to understand English and knowledge of the evidence-based practice.Organization-level barriers included lack of time to access and implement new practices, lack of financial and personal resources, limited access to scientific journals, and applicability of research to rural settings.Training and continuing education programs are needed to support rehabilitation professionals' efforts to achieve the application of evidence-based practice in clinical practice.

Guideline adherence of physiotherapists in the treatment of patients with low back pain: A qualitative study

RATIONALE

Adherence rates to guidelines show room for improvement, and increase in adherence to guidelines may potentially lead to better outcomes and reduced costs of treatment. To improve adherence, it is essential to understand the considerations of physiotherapists regarding the assessment and management of low back pain (LBP). The purpose of this study is to gain insight in the considerations of Dutch physiotherapists on adherence to the national physiotherapy guideline in the treatment of patients with LBP.

METHODS

This is a qualitative study, using an interpretive approach of semi-structured interviews with 14 physiotherapists who regularly treat patients with LBP. Thematic analysis was conducted with open coding using an existing framework. This framework distinguishes five components to adherence based on patient factors, provider factors, guideline characteristics, institutional factors and the implementation process.

RESULTS

Participating physiotherapists mentioned that the guideline should provide more information about psychosocial prognostic factors and psychosocial treatment options. The participants experienced difficulties in addressing patient expectations that conflict with guideline recommendations. The implementation process of the guideline was considered insufficient. Physiotherapists might rely too much on their experience, and knowledge of evidence-based treatment might be improved. In general, the interviewed physiotherapists thought they were mainly non-adherent to the guidelines. However, when comparing their considerations with the actual guideline recommendations they were mainly adherent.

CONCLUSION

To improve adherence, the guideline should provide more information about addressing psychosocial prognostic factors, and Dutch physiotherapists might be trained in communication skills to better address patient expectations. A more extensive implementation process is warranted for the next guideline to increase the physiotherapists' knowledge of evidence-based treatment.

Functioning Problems Associated with Health Conditions with Greatest Disease Burden in South Africa: A Scoping Review

A notable rise in health-related disability for which evidence-based rehabilitation is beneficial is evident in low-to-middle income countries. This scoping review aimed to systematically identify and map the most common functioning problems associated with health conditions that contribute most to disability in South Africa using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Peer-reviewed evidence published from January 2006 to December 2021 was systematically searched from five databases. Some 268 studies reporting on functioning problems (impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions) in South African adults (>18 years) related to 10 health conditions were included. A total of 130 different functioning problems were mapped to the ICF. The most prevalent problems (top 20) were related to mobility, pain, and mental health but spanned across several ICF domains and were mostly in patients at primary care. The high prevalence and wide range of functioning problems may be particularly burdensome on an already strained primary health care (PHC) system. This points towards targeted planning of innovative strategies towards strengthening rehabilitation service delivery at primary care to address these complexities where there is an inadequate rehabilitation workforce.

How to contextualize training on guideline-uptake for your setting

One knowledge translation method, of putting evidence into practice, is the use of clinical practice guidelines (CPG). The purpose of this brief report is to describe an 8-step process of "how to" contextualize a training programme to increase CPG-uptake for a targeted audience in a clearly defined setting. This process may assist implementation practitioners to fast-track the development of contextualized training to improve CPG-uptake.

Effectiveness of nudges as a tool to promote adherence to guidelines in healthcare and their organizational implications: A systematic review

The shift in the United States in recent years toward value-based healthcare delivery models has brought renewed pressure on healthcare organizations to improve adherence to clinical and administrative guidelines designed to deliver high quality care at lower costs. However, getting clinicians to adhere to these guidelines remains a persistent problem for many organizations. The use of nudges has emerged as a popular intervention in healthcare settings to promote adherence to both sets of guidelines. This systematic review aims to assess the empirical evidence base on the use of various types of nudges and their effectiveness as a tool to promote this adherence and to identify the boundary conditions under which they are effective. In our assessment of 83 empirical studies, we found compelling evidence that nudges are an effective tool for promoting adherence to guidelines. However, much of this evidence relies heavily on studies focused on three types of nudges (increasing salience, providing feedback, and default). Other types of nudges (anticipated error reduction, structuring of complex problems, and understanding mapping) received far less attention. We also found that this literature is primarily focused on whether nudge interventions work, with little consideration for organizational issues such as cost effectiveness, impact on healthcare workers, and disruptions of established workflows and routines. We offer observations and recommendations on how research at the intersection of organizational studies and health services can improve our understanding of nudge interventions.

A preliminary analysis of physical therapist agreement regarding the perceived impairments in cases of runners with knee pain

Background: There is a scarcity of evidence describing how physical therapists use data from clinical examinations to inform the treatment of runners with knee pain.Objective: Our purpose was to examine the between physical therapist agreement on the selection of perceived impairments in runners with knee pain.Methods: Twelve physical therapists reviewed two cases of runners with knee pain. The cases included clinical subjective information, objective data, and review of videos of each participant running. Each rater selected up to three perceived impairments (from a list of eight) that each physical therapist would address at the next physical therapy session. Percent agreement was calculated to determine the between rater agreement on each individual perceived impairment selection and Fleiss Kappa was calculated for each unique combination of three perceived impairments per case.Results: Twelve raters with 51 (18-156) months of clinical experience participated. Percent agreement ranged from 8%-100% for both cases for individual impairments. When assessing the unique combination of three impairments selected, inter-rater agreement was less than what is expected due to chance alone (κ = -0.09, p = .92; κ = -0.09, p = .98) for both cases.Conclusion: The 12 physical therapists demonstrated poor to excellent levels of agreement when selecting an individual perceived impairment. Agreement was worse than chance when selecting a combination of three unique impairments.

The role of physiotherapy in the respiratory management of children with neuromuscular diseases: A South African perspective

Background

Respiratory morbidity is common in children with neuromuscular diseases (NMD) owing to chronic hypoventilation and impaired cough. Optimal, cost-effective respiratory management requires implementation of clinical practice guidelines and a coordinated multidisciplinary team approach.

Objectives

To explore South African physiotherapists’ knowledge, perception and implementation of respiratory clinical practice guidelines for non-ventilated children with NMD.

Methods

An online survey was conducted amongst members of the South African Society of Physiotherapy’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (CPRG) and Paediatric special interest groups and purposive sampling of non-member South African physiotherapists with respiratory paediatrics expertise (N= 481).

Results

Most respondents worked in private healthcare, with 1–10 years’ experience treating patients with NMD. For acute and chronic management, most participants recommended nebulisation and 24-h postural management for general respiratory care. Percussions, vibrations, positioning, adapted postural drainage, breathing exercises and manually assisted cough were favoured as airway clearance techniques. In addition, participants supported non-invasive ventilation, oscillatory devices and respiratory muscle training for chronic management.

Conclusion

Respondents seemed aware of internationally-endorsed NMD clinical practice guidelines and recommendations, but traditional manual airway clearance techniques were favoured. This survey provided novel insight into the knowledge, perspectives and implementation of NMD clinical practice guidelines amongst South African physiotherapists.

Clinical implications

There is an urgent need to increase the abilities of South African physiotherapists who manage children with NMD, as well as the establishment of specialised centres with the relevant equipment, ventilatory support and expertise in order to provide safe, cost-effective and individualised patient care.

Time as a barrier to evidence uptake-A qualitative exploration of the concept of time for clinical practice guideline uptake by physiotherapists

BACKGROUND

Lack of time has consistently been reported as a major barrier to effective research evidence uptake into clinical practice. There has been no research to our knowledge that explores time as a barrier within the transtheoretical model of stages of change (SoC), to better understand the processes of physiotherapists' uptake of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). This article explores the concept of lack of time as a barrier for CPG uptake for physiotherapists at different SoC.

METHODS

A six-step process is presented to determine the best-fit SoC for 31 physiotherapy interviewees. This process used an amalgamation of interview findings and socio-demographic data, which was layered onto the SoC and previously identified time-barriers to CPG uptake (few staff, high workload, access to CPGs, evidence-based practice as priority in clinical practice, 'time is money' attitude and knowledge on the use of CPGs).

RESULTS

The analysis process highlighted the complexities of assigning individuals to a SoC. A model of time management for better CPG uptake is proposed which is a novel approach to assist evidence implementalists and clinicians alike to determine how to progress through the SoC and barriers to improve CPG uptake.

CONCLUSIONS

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first attempt at exploring the construct of (lack of) time for CPG uptake in relation to the physiotherapists' readiness to behaviour change. This study shows that 'lack of time' is a euphemism for quite different barriers, which map to different stages of readiness to embrace current best evidence into physiotherapy practice. By understanding what is meant by 'lack of time', it may indicate specific support required by physiotherapists at different stages of changing these behaviours.

Tailored training for physiotherapists on the use of clinical practice guidelines: A mixed methods study

INTRODUCTION

Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) are vehicles for translating evidence into practice, but effective CPG-uptake requires targeted training. This mixed methods research project took a staged evidence-based approach to develop and test a tailored training programme (TTP) that addressed organisational and individual factors influencing CPG-uptake by South African physiotherapists treating patients with low back pain in primary healthcare settings.

METHODS

This multi-stage mixed methods study reports the development, contextualisation and expert content validation of a TTP to improve CPG-uptake. Finally, the TTP was evaluated for its feasibility and acceptability in its current format.

RESULTS

The TTP (delivered online and face-to-face) contained minimal theory, and focussing on practical activities, clinical scenarios and discussions. Pre-TTP, physiotherapists expressed skepticism about the relevance of CPG in daily practice. However, post-TTP they demonstrated improved knowledge, confidence, and commitment to CPG-uptake.

DISCUSSION

The phased-construction of the TTP addressed South African primary healthcare physiotherapists' needs and concerns, using validated evidence-based educational approaches. The TTP content, delivered by podcasts and face-to-face contact, was feasible and acceptable in terms of physiotherapists' time constraints, and it appeared to be effective in improving all outcome domains. This TTP is now ready for intervention to a wider audience.

Implementation of the Endocrine Society clinical practice guidelines for gestational diabetes mellitus to a knowledge tool

BACKGROUND

Despite the production of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in many medical areas, their use is not sufficiently adopted in clinical practice. Incorporation of CPGs in knowledge tools (KnowT) or decision support systems (DSS) for routine use can improve healthcare providers' compliance to CPGs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical practice guidelines for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were searched for, collected and compared. The CPG that met pre-specified criteria ([a] published by a European or American organization between 2010 and 2018, [b] being developed a systematic way and [c] having statements of "level of evidence" and "strength of recommendation") was chosen for implementation (Endocrine Society, 2013). Its recommendations were deconstructed, re-organized and reconstructed as an algorithm (in the form of a flowchart), which was integrated into a KnowT. Content completeness and evaluation of CPG by the Guideline Implementability Appraisal tool (GLIA) were performed as well. The primary objective was the development of a clinical algorithm in the field of GDM and its integration into a KnowT. The secondary objective was to demonstrate the completeness of the CPG content and evaluate its implementability in the KnowT.

RESULTS

Endocrine Society 2013 CPG was restructured as a flowchart, and a KnowT was constructed with the use of the "Openlabyrinth" software. The completeness of the content was confirmed, and GLIA appraisal demonstrated its implementability.

CONCLUSION

Endocrine Society 2013 CPG for GDM is a complete set of recommendations. Its structure makes possible the design of a clinical algorithm and its implementation into a KnowT.

A user-friendly clinical practice guideline summary for managing low back pain in South Africa

Background

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) provide conveniently packaged evidence-based recommendations to inform clinical decisions. However, intended end-users often do not know how to source, appraise, interpret or choose among CPGs. Moreover, it can be confusing when recommendations on the same topic differ among CPGs, in wording, intent and underpinning evidence.

Objectives

This article reports on the processes of: (1) identifying current CPGs for acute and subacute low back pain (LBP) to fit the needs of South African physiotherapists, (2) collating and summarising CPG recommendations to produce a user-friendly end-user product and (3) testing the utility of the summary CPG document on South African physiotherapy clinicians to efficiently determine acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility to inform clinical decision-making.

Method

An adapted approach was followed by systematically searching online CPG repositories and online databases for LBP CPGs; screening and critically appraising identified CPGs; summarising recommendations from relevant CPGs and organising them into clinical practice activities. Feedback on utility was obtained from 11 physiotherapists.

Results

Three high-quality, international CPGs provided 25 recommendations on the assessment and management of acute and subacute LBP relevant to South African physiotherapy practice. They were organised into 10 headings. Physiotherapy user feedback suggested that this document would assist in clinical decision-making.

Conclusion

Organised recommendations extracted from multiple, relevant CPGs provide an end-user-friendly resource for physiotherapists treating LBP.

Clinical implications

Collated and organised CPG recommendations may effectively assist South African physiotherapists’ clinical decision-making in assessing and managing patients with acute and subacute LBP.