Introduction The goal of the study was to analyse the attitudes towards moral values adopted by Polish physiotherapists. Eight basic moral values were enumerated, namely: professionalism, care, ...fairness, dignity, autonomy, responsibility, trust, and profes sional integrity. The chosen values were analysed taking into account the sex, age, education, work experience, workplace and the knowledge of moral rules included in the Code of Professional Ethics of the Physiotherapist of the Republic of Poland and/or in the Rules of Professional Ethics of Physiotherapists (the Polish Chamber of Physiotherapists). Methods The study embraced 199 professionally active physiotherapists, with 5 surveys not filled in correctly, which left 194. Results Variables such as sex (p < 0.001) and workplace (p < 0.016) differentiate the respondents significantly in the context of the studied values. Physiotherapists with longer working experience also declare attitudes more closely based on moral values than physiotherapists with shorter working experience (p = 0.021). With regard to the adopted attitudes towards values, vital differences between men and women can be observed. Women choose fairness (p < 0.001) whereas men choose the ethics of care (p = 0.619). Physiotherapists employed by non-public centres are more oriented towards autonomous decisions than physiotherapists employed by publicly financed centres (p = 0.048). Conclusions Numerous factors have been observed differentiating the attitudes of the respondents towards moral values. The differences may evidence a lack of uniform professional culture which might in turn translate into limited respect on the part of society. The variables differentiating the group are modal, thanks to which a change in the moral attitudes of Polish physiothera pists is possible.
The objective of this research work is to design an automatic rehabilitation device in charge of limb therapy in specialized rehabilitation centers. Within the methodology, the quantitative approach ...was followed, presenting a type of prospective research with a non- experimental design, for this the design of the device was elaborated in its different stages, which were segmented into electronic design, Adaptive structure and Control interface. For this, different matrices were elaborated to obtain the most important characteristics of the adaptive design. In addition, torque and weight calculations were carried out so that the device can work in optimal conditions. It was concluded in the realization of the design of the control and programming system, the adaptive structure of the same device, the power and control circuits for the electronic part, all this making use of the engineering programs Autodesk Inventor, Proteus, Pic C Compiler. Likewise, the simulation was carried out to ensure the correct functioning of the device. Finally, a stress analysis was performed, obtaining a fairly high safety factor.
This tutorial is aimed to non-engineers using, or planning to use, surface electromyography (sEMG) as an assessment tool in the prevention, monitoring and rehabilitation fields. Its first purpose is ...to address the issues related to the origin and nature of the signal and to its detection (electrode size, distance, location) by one-dimensional (bipolar and linear arrays) and two-dimensional (grids) electrode systems while avoiding advanced mathematical, physical or physiological issues. Its second purpose is to outline best practices and provide general guidelines for proper signal detection. Issues related to the electrode-skin interface, signal conditioning and interpretation will be discussed in subsequent tutorials.
As the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic spread, many physiotherapists chose telerehabilitation (TR) to continue delivering therapy. This study was conducted to document the perceived benefits and ...challenges of TR faced by pediatric physiotherapists in western and southern India. Using the snowball method, electronic survey forms were distributed to 275 pediatric physiotherapists in Western and Southern India; 110 responses were available for analysis. A majority of respondents had experience with TR (n=83, 75.5%), while others had never used TR (n=27, 24.5%). TR was reported to be less effective than in-person therapy for treating children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therapists reported significant difficulties during TR sessions; these included assessing and modifying exercises for children. As the popularity of TR grows, pediatric physiotherapists will need to be aware of the benefits and challenges they will face during TR sessions. Most pediatric physiotherapists believed the interaction between parents and therapists is a requisite for optimal service delivery.
Background
According to key assumptions to modern systems theory (Luhmann, 1983, 1990) the individual action logic of both sports coaches and sports physiotherapists are likely to differ ...fundamentally. Although both professions are entrusted with the care of athletes, they each follow different systemic logics in doing so. While coaches are embedded in the elite sport system, sports physiotherapists are assigned to the health care system Steinmann et al., 2019). The professional action of both players follows different systemic expectations in each case.
Research Question
What are potential conflicts within the cooperation between sports physiotherapists and coaches and what are areas of improvement?
Methods
The project aims at transferring research into practice and includes two parts: First, the project-team performs guided expert interviews with sports physiotherapists (n = 27) and coaches (n = 20) working in German elite sport in order to gather mutual functional, role and action expectations in real social situations. These expectations are compared and fitted in professional theory. The evaluation is based on qualitative content analysis (Kuckartz & Rädiker, 2020; Mayring, 2015). The second part of the project contains a Delphi-Workshop (Niederberger & Renn, 2018). Contentious results are phrased in a rating form for the participants a) to discuss and b) to derive recommended courses of action and case studies.
Results
Information gathering, content analysis and results are completed. Furthermore, the Delphi-Workshop took place in September 2022 (n = 8). The assumption has been confirmed that potential for optimization of the cooperation between coaches and sports physiotherapists is above all found in their structurally different action logic. The interview partners agree that there is a lack of financial reward for physiotherapists and therefore question international competitive ability. Conflicts are often found in the process of Return-to-Sport decision making since coaches are members of the elite sports system whereas physiotherapists belong to the health system. Furthermore, different employment models can lead to different engagement, because coaches in elite sports usually have a permanent position whereas physiotherapists usually work as freelancers for a low fee.
Conclusion
By delivering qualitative-empiric insight into the cooperation between coaches and sports physiotherapists in German elite sports, the project identifies starting points for its further improvement. Results verify the need for further research and relevance for the elite sports system. Recommended plans of action and case studies will be provided to organizations in elite sports and to the project’s cooperation partners.
References
Kuckartz, U., & Rädiker, S. (2020). Fokussierte Interviewanalyse mit MAXQDA, Schritt für Schritt Focused interview analysis with MAXQDA, step by step. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-31468-2
Luhmann, N. (1983). Medizin und Gesellschaftstheorie Medicine and social theory. Medizin, Mensch, Gesellschaft, 8, 168–175.
Luhmann, N. (1990). Soziologische Aufklärung 5: Konstruktivistische Perspektiven Sociological enlightenment 5: Constructivist perspectives. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-97005-3_8
Mayring, P. (2015). Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse: Grundlagen und Techniken Qualitative content analysis: Basics and techniques (12th ed.). Beltz Pädagogik.
Niederberger, M., & Renn, O. (2018). Das Gruppendelphi-Verfahren: Vom Konzept bis zur Anwendung The Group Delphi Process: From concept to application . Springer VS. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-18755-2
Steinmann, A., Jaitner, D., & Himmelseher, N. (2019). “One aspect of the coaching business.” Function and role of sports physiotherapists from the perspective of coaches in German elite athletics. Sports Coaching Review, 9(3), 253-272. https://doi.org/10.1080/21640629.2019.1657680
To seek physiotherapists' perspectives on patient adherence to exercise prescription for falls prevention/risk reduction in the Singapore setting.
Three focus groups with physiotherapists (n = 16) ...were conducted. An inductive thematic analysis was performed to identify main themes by four independent researchers.
Three main themes emerged: "it's about the patient," "delivery of the programme," and "carer/family support and facilitation." Physiotherapists believed that adherence was all about the patients' mindset and motivation, and they had to tailor interventions to optimise adherence to cater for patients as distinct characters, with different health/cultural beliefs and ability to prioritise time. Furthermore, physiotherapists reported better patient adherence when therapy goals referred to maintaining function rather than reducing falls. Families/carers can act as facilitators while providing practical and/emotional support further enhanced exercise adherence.
Awareness of the perspectives of physiotherapists in identifying and addressing patients' adherence to exercise may better equip researchers and healthcare providers in developing culturally relevant interventions that promote exercise adherence in Singapore. Certainly, adherence varies widely among patients receiving the same treatment. Analysis of predictive factors of non-adherence will assist to tailor intervention.
Implications for rehabilitation
Physiotherapists believe the use of individualised approaches that adapt to patients and their health beliefs are critical for exercise adherence in older people in Singapore to prevent falls and falls risk.
Adherence to exercise is multi-factorial: physiotherapists need to include attention to education, building rapport and facilitating practical and emotional family/carer support.
Non-adherence is not merely a patient problem but is influenced by both clinicians and the healthcare system in Singapore/Southeast Asia.
Introduction The utilisation of standardised outcome measures (SOMs) is crucial for evaluating patients’ health status. Physiotherapists are highly recommended to use SOMs routinely. Despite the ...well-documented benefits of using SOMs, the utilisation of SOMs in clinical practice is still problematic particularly in Africa. In Namibia, there is dearth of information about SOMs utilisation by physiotherapists and the associated factors. This study was aimed at determining the extent of routine utilisation of SOMs and the associated demographic and work-related factors among physiotherapists. Methods A cross-sectional, nationwide, online survey was conducted and all registered qualified physiotherapists and intern physiotherapists working in public or private hospitals/clinics were invited to participate. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0. The Chi-square (χ2) and Fishers exact test investigated the relationship between the associated factors and routine SOMs utilisation. The alpha level was set at 0.05.Results Of 230 participants who received the invitational link, 99 (43.0%) responded timeously to the call to participate. Although 97.9% (n=94) of the participants indicated having used at least one type of SOMs in the last six months, the frequency of utilisation varied. Routine utilisation, defined as 70%-100% of the time, was reported in only 49.0% of the participants. The Chi-square test only showed significant findings for gender (p=0.01) and clinical specialty (p=0.004). The odds of utilising SOMs were 4.13 greater among physiotherapists with a clinical specialty and 3.88 times greater for females than males.ConclusionThe rates for routine utilisation of SOMs by Namibian physiotherapists are unfavourable. Female gender and clinical specialty influenced the utilisation of SOMs in daily clinical practice. Cognisant of the study limitations, these results call for the need to improve the routine utilisation of the SOMs in Namibia.
The study sought to gather the perceptions and experiences of a group of physiotherapists who took part in mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR).
Semi-structured interviews were conducted ...with eight physiotherapists who took part in a four-week formal and self-directed mindfulness meditation program. The data collected were analysed by implementing a thematic analysis.
Themes were identified in relation to perceived health benefits (stress reduction and increased attentiveness), the perceived impact of the MBSR on their professional practice and the perceived difficulties in practicing mindfulness.
The data from this study offer qualitative evidence that mindfulness practise can become an important element in a physiotherapists' stress reduction toolkit, by helping them deal with the challenges of their professional practise. The main difficulties encountered with the program were related to the feelings of sleepiness that MBSR induced in them in the beginning. The participants also reported that the long duration of the sessions was another obstacle, suggesting that a brief form of meditation would be preferable and more convenient.
The ever‐increasing scope of physiotherapy practice is raising questions on what anatomical knowledge and skills ought to be taught within qualifying physiotherapy degree programmes in the United ...Kingdom (UK). The aim of the study was to create core anatomical knowledge and skills learning objectives to inform knowledge and skills for entry‐level physiotherapists in the UK. A two phased modified Delphi methodology created a consensual anatomy curriculum. A Research‐Team‐Expert‐Panel of four physiotherapists who teach anatomy proposed Anatomy Learning Objectives (Anat‐LOs) and accompanying clinical rationales relevant for newly qualified entry‐level physiotherapists. A Teacher‐Expert‐Panel of nine physiotherapists who taught anatomy to physiotherapy students in the UK reviewed Anat‐LOs in two consecutive Delphi Rounds, and rated and commented on each Anat‐LO. After each Delphi Round, the Research‐Team‐Expert‐Panel reviewed the ratings and comments from the Teacher‐Expert‐Panel and banked Anat‐LOs that passed the 85% acceptance threshold. There were 182 banked Anat‐LOs that spanned all eight areas: Introductory Concepts, Principles and Basic Histology; Head and Neck; Thorax; Abdomen, Pelvis and Perineum; Upper Limb; Lower Limb; Spine; and Neuroanatomy regions/systems. The Anat‐LOs develop both anatomical knowledge and key anatomical skills, such as palpation and conducting manual tests on model patients. A first ever core anatomy curriculum for entry‐level physiotherapists has been created for entry‐level physiotherapists, typically Band‐5 NHS physiotherapists, and takes an integrated learning approach. The anatomy curriculum brings clarity to students, teachers, clinical supervisors and future employers on the expected anatomical standards for entry‐level physiotherapists.
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