Exploring High-Priority Research Questions in Physical Therapy Using the Delphi Study

Abstract

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to obtain a professional consensus regarding current high-priority research questions (RQs) in the field of physical therapy. [Subjects and Methods] The Delphi method was utilized for 46 physical therapists (39 male, 7 female) who had obtained a master's degree in rehabilitation science from the University of Tsukuba. Subjects were asked to quickly list up to three current high-priority RQs in the field of physical therapy.[Results] A total of 20 questionnaires were returned, and 53 RQs were obtained in total for the study. The highest-ranking RQ was, "Is the difference between natural recovery and the effect of the treatment intervention clear?" [Conclusion] High-ranking RQs were influenced by the background of the promotion of Evidence-Based Medicine in recent years.

Physiotherapy Research Priorities in Switzerland: Views of the Various Stakeholders

“…The identified Swiss research priorities are consistent with previously published physiotherapy research priorities, which stated that physiotherapy research should essentially develop and evaluate efficient treatment methods and consider socioeconomic outcomes (Miles‐Tapping et al, ; Foster et al, ; Soma et al, ; Goldstein et al, ; Rankin et al, ;). Beyond this observation, some differences were found: Firstly, our analysis of qualitative data revealed rather broader topics, whereas other research agendas are highly detailed; for example, the agenda of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy contains research questions on a very specific level (despite an open request to participants to mention research priorities), such as, ‘What is best practice in the rehabilitation of the upper limb in patients with stroke with respect to timing, content and dosage?’ In the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy research priority study, different panels (musculoskeletal, neurology, cardiorespiratory and well‐being) were built at the start and interviewed separately — it is likely that the more homogenous and specialized the groups surveyed are, the more detailed are the research questions mentioned in focus groups and interviews.…”

“…Firstly, in qualitative group discussions and interviews with all stakeholder groups, overall research areas and diagnostic groups relevant to Tables 3 and 5. The identified Swiss research priorities are consistent with previously published physiotherapy research priorities, which stated that physiotherapy research should essentially develop and evaluate efficient treatment methods and consider socioeconomic outcomes (Miles-Tapping et al, 1990;Foster et al, 2009;Soma et al, 2009;Goldstein et al, 2011;Rankin et al, 2012;). Beyond this observation, some differences were found: Firstly, our analysis of qualitative data revealed rather broader topics, whereas other research agendas are highly detailed; for example, the agenda of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy contains research questions on a very specific level (despite an open request to participants to mention research priorities), such as, 'What is best practice in the rehabilitation of the upper limb in patients with stroke with respect to timing, content and dosage?'…”

Perspectives of Academic Faculty and Clinical Instructors on Entry-Level DPT Preparation for Pediatric Physical Therapist Practice

“…14 The levels of consensus used in Delphi studies vary greatly, with percentages of agreement typically ranging from 51% to 100%. 14,17,19 In this study, consensus was conservatively defined as agreement among Ն70% of informants in one of the groups (academicians or CIs) or in both groups combined. Although this level of consensus allowed for the inclusion of a greater number of items at certain time frames (before a pediatric clinical education experience and at the end of a DPT program, regardless of whether a pediatric clinical education experience was completed), this conservative level of consensus resulted in the inclusion of a large number of items after completing a full-time pediatric clinical education experience.…”

“…This level of consensus was chosen based on the researchers' desire to be inclusive and yet identify only aspects of KSA that were felt to be essential at each of the identified points in the curriculum. 14,17,19 In accordance with the Delphi method, only items that achieved consensus in the second-round survey were included in the third round of the survey. In this round, informants were presented with items from the second round of the survey that achieved consensus at each specific point in the curriculum.…”

Essential competencies for physical therapist managing individuals with spinal muscular atrophy: A delphi study

“…The experts developed a list of 66 PLOS ONE competencies organized under 7 broad areas or domains of competence: Knowledge, Assessment, Clinical Reasoning, Communication, Professionalism, Management, and Leadership. The Delphi method, which engages a group of participants or experts over multiple rounds of surveys to establish consensus on a particular topic of interest was then utilized to obtain consensus on the list created [20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. The list of competencies was presented to a larger group of SMA expert participants.…”