Keep/Refer-Decision-Making Abilities and Screening for Serious Pathologies as Integral Components of Physiotherapy Education and Profession

Abstract

Background Several surveys over the last few years examined physiotherapists’ attitude towards direct access, increased practice autonomy and the necessity to detect the presence of serious pathologies.

Objective The aim of the questionnaire was identify the attitude of Austrian physicians towards physiotherapists’ taking more responsibility in the case of clinical decisions.

Method An online survey was distributed by e-mail among 1000 general practitioners and 395 orthopaedic surgeons working in private practice in Austria during autumn 2017.

Results The study included 76 general practitioners (7.6 %) and 40 orthopaedic surgeons (10 %). 90 % of the responding general practitioners and 68 % of the orthopaedic surgeons believed that Austrian physiotherapists should be able to decide whether physiotherapy is indicated or not.

Conclusion The majority of the study participants were in favour of Austrian physiotherapists taking more responsibility and that they independently decide about physiotherapeutic indication.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund In den letzten Jahren wurden mehrere Umfragen unter Physiotherapeuten zum Thema Direktzugang, erhöhter beruflicher Autonomie und Notwendigkeit des Erkennens schwerwiegender Pathologien durchgeführt.

Ziel Ziel des Fragebogens war es herauszufinden, wie Mediziner in Österreich dazu stehen, dass Physiotherapeuten mehr Eigenständigkeit bei klinischen Entscheidungen übernehmen.

Methode Im Herbst 2017 wurde eine Online-Umfrage per E-Mail an 1000 Hausärzte und 395 Orthopäden mit Privatordination in Österreich verschickt.

Ergebnisse An der Studie nahmen 76 Hausärzte (7,6 %) und 40 Orthopäden (10 %). Davon waren 90 % der Hausärzte und 68 % der Orthopäden der Meinung, Physiotherapeuten sollten eigenständig in der Lage sein zu beurteilen, ob Physiotherapie indiziert ist oder nicht.

Schlussfolgerung Die Studienteilnehmer sahen es mehrheitlich positiv, dass Physiotherapeuten in Österreich mehr Verantwortung übernehmen und eigenständig beurteilen, ob eine Indikation zur Physiotherapie besteht.

Key words

clinical decisions - survey - physiotherapy - physicians

Schlüsselwörter

klinische Entscheidungen - Umfrage - Physiotherapie - Ärzte

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