The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology
Abstract 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...
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BMC
2024-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Primary Care |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02634-8 |
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| author | Jessie Janssen Wolfgang Lackenbauer Simon Gasselich Martina Edda Lickel Lars Schabel Reinhard Beikircher Christian Keip Manfred Wieser James Selfe Bruno Mazuquin Gillian Yeowell |
| author_facet | Jessie Janssen Wolfgang Lackenbauer Simon Gasselich Martina Edda Lickel Lars Schabel Reinhard Beikircher Christian Keip Manfred Wieser James Selfe Bruno Mazuquin Gillian Yeowell |
| author_sort | Jessie Janssen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6148d72601fa41d2b994cd2fab7c96ae |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2731-4553 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Primary Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-6148d72601fa41d2b994cd2fab7c96ae2025-08-20T02:18:28ZengBMCBMC Primary Care2731-45532024-10-012511810.1186/s12875-024-02634-8The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathologyJessie Janssen0Wolfgang Lackenbauer1Simon Gasselich2Martina Edda Lickel3Lars Schabel4Reinhard Beikircher5Christian Keip6Manfred Wieser7James Selfe8Bruno Mazuquin9Gillian Yeowell10Institute of Therapeutic and Midwifery Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, IMC University of Applied Sciences KremsInstitute of Therapeutic and Midwifery Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, IMC University of Applied Sciences KremsInstitute of Therapeutic and Midwifery Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, IMC University of Applied Sciences KremsKarl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Human MedicineClinical Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital TullnInstitute of Therapeutic and Midwifery Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, IMC University of Applied Sciences KremsInstitute of Therapeutic and Midwifery Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, IMC University of Applied Sciences KremsKarl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Human MedicineDepartment of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityDepartment of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityDepartment of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02634-8Red flagsPhysical therapyClinical decision makingClinical vignettes |
| spellingShingle | Jessie Janssen Wolfgang Lackenbauer Simon Gasselich Martina Edda Lickel Lars Schabel Reinhard Beikircher Christian Keip Manfred Wieser James Selfe Bruno Mazuquin Gillian Yeowell The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology BMC Primary Care Red flags Physical therapy Clinical decision making Clinical vignettes |
| title | The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology |
| title_full | The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology |
| title_fullStr | The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology |
| title_full_unstemmed | The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology |
| title_short | The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology |
| title_sort | ability of austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology |
| topic | Red flags Physical therapy Clinical decision making Clinical vignettes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02634-8 |
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