Knowledge of Physiotherapy Practice among Medical Interns in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Medical doctors have profound influence on other health professions including physiotherapist as they are at the top of the pyramid of healthcare profession. There is a lack of knowledge of physiotherapy among medical doctors. They may not be knowing of all physiotherapy services and practice. The objective of this study was to find adequate knowledge of physiotherapy practice among medical interns in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on medical interns of a tertiary hospital of Kathmandu between 21st March - 20th May 2021, after taking ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. A convenient sampling method was used and sample size was calculated to be 94. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the demographic details and knowledge of Physiotherapy. Data was analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences version 20. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data. Results: The knowledge of physiotherapy practice was seen adequate among 16 (17%) (95% Confidence Interval = 9.41-24.59) medical interns. Physiotherapy is effective in reducing pain was acknowledged by 89 (97.4 %), 61 (64.9 %) had knowledge about conditions treated by physiotherapy, 55 (58.5 %) had knowledge that physiotherapy treatment follows definite treatment protocol and 26 (27.7 %) had knowledge that exercise prescription is done in physiotherapy. Conclusions: The prevalence of adequate knowledge is less in our study which is similar to other studies done in similar settings. Therefore, there is a need of educating the future medical doctors about physiotherapy, thereby reaching a better patient care.

Barriers and facilitators for strengthening physiotherapy services in Nepal: perspectives from physiotherapists and health providers

“…Lack of communication and awareness among health professionals and communities are obvious barriers to development (56). As only 17% of medical interns in a Nepal hospital have adequate knowledge about physiotherapy (57), this demonstrated the needs for improved communication and awareness of physiotherapy. Individual efforts of advocacy and leadership may contribute to increased awareness although should ideally be addressed at the organizational or policy levels for wider effect.…”

Barriers and Facilitators to the Referral of Patients With Cancer for Physiotherapy Rehabilitation at Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI).

“…S003 responded, "Maybe we also don't have much knowledge about physiotherapy as nurses and doctors and maybe that is why we are reluctant" and O003 said, "Maybe lack of the best knowledge physiotherapy because am not a specialist in that eld…… physiotherapy is not my concern and I just give the patient chemotherapy and the patient goes back home" Inadequate knowledge about the role of physiotherapy in cancer care and a gap in the physical assessment of patients with cancer has notably been noticed in junior clinicians (37). Although there have been increased guidelines on what to assess and refer for physiotherapy in patients with cancer, there hasn't been a signi cant change in the trend of inappropriate referrals (21).…”