TY - JOUR
T1 - The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology
AU - Janssen, Jessie
AU - Lackenbauer, Wolfgang
AU - Gasselich, Simon
AU - Lickel, Martina Edda
AU - Schabel, Lars
AU - Beikircher, Reinhard
AU - Keip, Christian
AU - Wieser, Manfred
AU - Selfe, James
AU - Mazuquin, Bruno
AU - Yeowell, Gillian
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/10/30
Y1 - 2024/10/30
N2 - BACKGROUND: Serious pathology masking as musculoskeletal conditions is rare, still it is pertinent that physiotherapists can recognise it. This ability has been investigated internationally, however the decision-making skills of registered Austrian physiotherapists has not been examined. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of registered Austrian physiotherapists to make accurate keep-refer decisions based on clinical vignettes.METHODS: In this national survey registered Austrian (self-)employed physiotherapists were recruited and completed 12 clinical vignettes. Correctly answered vignettes were listed as percentages.RESULTS: 479 physiotherapists participated in the study. The response rate of the self-employed physiotherapists was 8.0%. On average participants classified 70.5% of the musculoskeletal cases, 79.4% of the non-critical medical cases, and 53.3% of the critical medical cases correctly.CONCLUSION: This study suggests that, despite the limitations of using written clinical vignettes, registered Austrian physiotherapists welcome additional training to improve their skills in identifying serious pathology. Targeted training and educational programs including new and more detailed educational clinical vignettes relevant for non-direct access countries are needed to enhance physiotherapists' diagnostic skills and decision-making processes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Serious pathology masking as musculoskeletal conditions is rare, still it is pertinent that physiotherapists can recognise it. This ability has been investigated internationally, however the decision-making skills of registered Austrian physiotherapists has not been examined. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of registered Austrian physiotherapists to make accurate keep-refer decisions based on clinical vignettes.METHODS: In this national survey registered Austrian (self-)employed physiotherapists were recruited and completed 12 clinical vignettes. Correctly answered vignettes were listed as percentages.RESULTS: 479 physiotherapists participated in the study. The response rate of the self-employed physiotherapists was 8.0%. On average participants classified 70.5% of the musculoskeletal cases, 79.4% of the non-critical medical cases, and 53.3% of the critical medical cases correctly.CONCLUSION: This study suggests that, despite the limitations of using written clinical vignettes, registered Austrian physiotherapists welcome additional training to improve their skills in identifying serious pathology. Targeted training and educational programs including new and more detailed educational clinical vignettes relevant for non-direct access countries are needed to enhance physiotherapists' diagnostic skills and decision-making processes.
KW - Humans
KW - Austria/epidemiology
KW - Physical Therapists
KW - Male
KW - Female
KW - Adult
KW - Clinical Competence/standards
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Musculoskeletal Diseases/diagnosis
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
KW - Clinical Decision-Making
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85208165960&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12875-024-02634-8
DO - 10.1186/s12875-024-02634-8
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 39478481
SN - 1471-2296
VL - 25
SP - 387
JO - BMC Primary Care
JF - BMC Primary Care
IS - 1
M1 - 387
ER -