Current practice of physiotherapists in outpatient stroke rehabilitation: a cross-sectional survey in Austria / Arbeitsweise von Physiotherapeut*innen in der ambulanten Schlaganfallrehabilitation: eine Querschnittsumfrage in Österreich
Published Online: Nov 09, 2022
Page range: 151 - 163
Received: Oct 28, 2021
Accepted: Aug 26, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ijhp-2022-0012
Keywords
© 2022 Andrea Greisberger et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Objective
Physiotherapy based on guidelines is associated with advantages for patients and health-care systems. However, only approximately 10 % of physiotherapists in Austria have used this approach in the past. Guidelines recommend task-oriented training and the use of standardised assessments to improve stroke-related mobility deficits. The aim of this study was to describe physiotherapeutic practice patterns in relation to guideline recommendations in outpatient stroke rehabilitation in Austria.
Methods
A survey previously developed and used in Germany was adapted to the Austrian context. Participants were asked to list their preferred examination and treatment methods for a case vignette and to provide a rationale for their choice. Physiotherapists treating at least three persons after stroke per year were included. Data was analysed using qualitative content-analysis and descriptive statistics.
Results
Thirty physiotherapists completed the survey. Of 88 examination methods, 34,1 % were assigned to the category “standardised assessments” and 65,9 % to the category “basic physiotherapy evaluation (non-standardised)”. Of 88 treatment methods, 30 % were assigned to “traditional treatment approaches” such as the Bobath concept and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. The second most frequent treatment approach was strength- and endurance training (22,7 %). The examination and treatment methods were chosen because of positive experience, knowledge from continuing education courses, feasibility and compatibility with individual patient aims.
Discussion
Outpatient physiotherapy is primarily based on methods not recommended by guidelines. Continuing education courses may be used to foster guideline-based physiotherapy in Austria. A major limitation of this study is the low number of participants.