Knowledge, Attitudes, and Current Practices of Canadian Physiotherapists in Preventing and Managing Diabetes

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the knowledge, attitudes, and current practices of Canadian physiotherapists in preventing and managing diabetes. Methods: Members of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association were recruited by email to participate in a Web-based survey. The survey contained 40 items in four domains: demographics and education, attitudes and beliefs, current practices, and knowledge of diabetes. A descriptive analysis was completed for all the response variables from the survey. Results: A total of 401 physiotherapists from 10 provinces and 2 territories participated. Respondents were most confident in providing education about exercise and had decreasing confidence in providing education about managing secondary complications, weight management, blood sugar control, and nutrition, respectively. Only 32.4% of participants offered diabetes management counselling, citing lack of training. Knowledge was generally good, except for activity guidelines. Conclusions: A significant proportion of physiotherapists lack confidence in providing key aspects of care to patients with diabetes. Gaps in clinical practice and knowledge of activity guidelines were also observed. This study highlights the need to review entry-level physiotherapy training and to develop continuing educational opportunities in this area.

Saudi Arabian Physical Therapists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Clinical Practice in Diabetes Prevention and Management

“…Doehring et al 11 surveyed 401 Canadian physical therapists about their knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward DM prevention and management. It transpired that physical therapists were most confident in providing exercise education, but lacked confidence in providing care in crucial areas, including managing secondary complications, glucose level control, and weight management.…”

“…Moreover, by identifying this clinical gap, they provided some important recommendations, such as providing more education related to DM in entry-level programs, and enhancing continuing physical therapy education opportunities to improve physical therapists’ knowledge of DM. 11 However, these findings may not be generalizable to other physical therapists, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, because of differences in cultural backgrounds, educational systems, and healthcare policies, which may affect physical therapist practices in the Kingdom.…”

“…Permission from Doehring et al 11 was first obtained to use their questionnaire in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The institutional ethical committee was then approached for their approval (RHPT/021/019).…”

“…An existing questionnaire tool had been developed and used by Doehring et al 11 to assess the present knowledge, practice, beliefs, and attitudes of physical therapists dealing with patients with diabetes in Canada. Approval to use this questionnaire was received from the authors before conducting this study.…”

Clinician's Commentary on Doehring et al.

“…Physiotherapists, however, are some of the most important practitioners in the management of diabetes and its comorbid conditions because they can prescribe exercise to prevent and treat the disease. In an encouraging vein, Doehring and colleagues 1 reported that most respondents believed that preventing and managing diabetes was within their scope of practice. An amazing opportunity awaits those physiotherapists who embrace their role in promoting health and wellness, treating past symptoms, and addressing the pathophysiology of disease.…”