Musculoskeletal imaging authority, levels of training, attitude, competence, and utilisation among clinical physiotherapists in Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background Direct-access physiotherapy practice has led to a global review of the use of differential-diagnostic modalities such as musculoskeletal imaging (MI) in physiotherapy. Objective To explore the MI authority, levels of training, attitude, utilisation, and competence among clinical physiotherapists in Nigeria. Methods This national cross-sectional study analysed a voluntary response sample of 400 Nigerian physiotherapists that completed the online version of the Physiotherapist’s Musculoskeletal Imaging Profiling Questionnaire (PMIPQ), using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman’s ANOVA tests. Results Of the 400 participants, 93.2% believed that physiotherapists should use MI in clinical practice. However, only 79.8% reported having MI authority in their practice settings. The participants’ median (interquartile range) levels of training =10 (24) and competence =16 (24) were moderate. Nonetheless, levels of training (χ2 [15] = 1285.899, p = 0.001), and competence (χ2 [15] = 1310.769, p < 0.001) differed across MI procedures. The level of training and competence in x-ray referral and utilisation was significantly higher than magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scan, ultrasonography, scintigraphy, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, in that order (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the levels of training and competence (rho =0.61, p < 0.001). The participants had a positive attitude =32 (32) and occasionally used MI in clinical practice =21 (28). Conclusion Majority of the respondents believed they had MI authority although there was no explicit affirmation of MI authority in the Nigerian Physiotherapy Practice Act. Participants had a positive attitude towards MI. However, levels of MI training, competence, and utilisation were moderate. Our findings have legislative and curriculum implications.

Use of standardised outcome measures among physiotherapists in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa

“…Thirdly, although rigorous pilot testing was conducted for our questionnaire, formal reliability and validity assessments could have been undertaken to increase and ensure the overall quality of our work. Moreover, studies from Ghana (Amuasi et al 2022) and Nigeria (Onyeso et al 2022) had reported 16% and 19% rate of online survey participation from healthworkers and physiotherapists, respectively, while in our study we reached nearly 10% of the targeted population. Because of the limited sample of respondents in some countries, our results could not be fully generalised to all French-speaking countries of sub-Saharan Africa.…”

Core competencies for first contact physiotherapists in a direct access model of care for adults with musculoskeletal disorders: A scoping review

“…Twenty articles used quantitative methodologies, such as cohort, cross‐sectional, and randomized or non‐randomized, controlled designs (Addley et al., 2010; Bishop et al., 2017; Bornhöft et al., 2019; Childs et al., 2005; Domholdt & Durchholz, 1992; Donato et al., 2004; Durant et al., 1989; Gagnon et al., 2021; Gorman et al., 2010; Holdsworth et al., 2007; Jette et al., 2006; Keller et al., 2022; Kilner & Sheppard, 2010; Ludvigsson & Enthoven, 2012; Mitchell & de Lissovoy, 1997; Nordeman et al., 2006; Onyeso et al., 2022; Overman et al., 1988a; Richardson, 2005; Taylor et al., 2011); 9 used qualitative methodologies based on interviews, focus groups, or Delphi methods (Alshareef et al., 2023; Boakye et al., 2016; Burley et al., 2020; Chance‐Larsen et al., 2019; French & Galvin, 2017; Kumar & Grimmer, 2005; Lefmann & Sheppard, 2014; McMahon et al., 2016; Vader et al., 2022); 2 used a mixed methodology (Alkhouri et al., 2020; Fisher, 2020); seven involved knowledge syntheses such as systematic, scoping, critical, and narrative reviews (Boakye et al., 2016; Ferreira et al., 2019; Foster et al., 2012; C. Harris et al., 2020; Lackenbauer et al., 2017; Lin et al., 2020; Ojha et al., 2014); 9 were viewpoints (editorials and clinical commentaries) (Bishop et al., 2013; W. G. Boissonnault et al., 2010; W. G. Boissonnault & Ross, 2012; W. Boissonnault & Goodman, 2006; Crane & Delany, 2013; Fleming‐McDonnell et al., 2010; Juneja et al., 2020; Lebec & Jogodka, 2009; McMahon et al., 2016); and 18 were from grey literature, including international references, books, and theses (APTA, 2012, 2...…”

Radiographers’ knowledge, attitude and adherence to standard COVID-19 precautions and the policy implications: a national cross-sectional study in Nigeria

“…The procedure was adopted from a previous national online survey among Nigerian physiotherapists [ 23 ]. An online, web-based questionnaire was prepared using google form and made accessible using a web link.…”