Use of Outcome Measures in Physiotherapy Practice in Ireland from 1998 to 2003 and Comparison to Canadian Trends

Abstract

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine changes in the use of standardized outcome measures by practising physiotherapists in Ireland and to compare those trends to the results of a similar survey conducted previously in Canada. Method: A survey methodology was employed. The review of practice occurred at two points in time. Senior clinical physiotherapists working with older people participated. Questions were asked about the use of standardized outcome measures, the nature and pattern of their use, and the level of confidence the respondents had in using such measures. Results:The results chart the changes in practice over a 5-year period. Although there was an increase in the use of standardized outcome measures, the respondents acknowledged barriers to their systematic use in routine practice (e.g., lack of time, resources/administrative support). There was a lack of professional consensus on what instruments to use in general, as well as which to use for particular client groups. Concern was expressed that none of the available instruments met their clients' needs. RÉ SUMÉObjectif : Cette é tude a pour but d'examiner les changements dans l'utilisation des mesures de ré sultat standardisé es par les physiothé rapeutes en Irlande et de comparer ces tendances aux ré sultats d'un sondage similaire conduit pré cé demment au Canada. Me´thode : On a utilisé une mé thodologie de sondage. L'examen de la pratique a eu lieu deux fois pendant la pé riode d'essai. Des physiothé rapeutes cliniques chevronné s qui travaillaient avec des personnes â gé es ont participé . On leur a posé des questions sur l'emploi de mesures de ré sultat standardisé es, sur la nature et le ré gime de leur emploi et sur le niveau de confiance que les ré pondants avaient dans l'utilisation de ces mesures. Re´sultats : Les ré sultats enregistrent les changements dans la pratique sur une pé riode de cinq (5) ans. Bien qu'il y ait eu une hausse de l'utilisation des mesures de ré sultat standardisé es, les ré pondants ont reconnu des obstacles à leur emploi systé matique dans la pratique ré guliè re, p. ex., manque de temps, de ressources ou de soutien administratif. On n'a pu é tablir de consensus professionnel gé né ral sur les instruments à utiliser, et lequel utiliser pour certains groupes de clients particuliers. Le fait qu'aucun des instruments disponibles ne ré pondait aux besoins des clients suscitait de l'inquié tude. Lorsque cela a é té possible et approprié , on a comparé les donné es de l'é tude irlandaise de 2003 et celles d'une é tude auprè s de physiothé rapeutes canadiens en 1998. Conclusion : Cet examen de la pratique indique que les changements en Irlande à propos des mesures de ré sultat standardisé es sont semblables à ceux qui se sont produits au Canada mais il se pré sente des obstacles à leur inté gration complè te dans la pratique clinique et dans le processus dé cisionnel clinique.Mots clé s: comparaison internationale, personnes â gé es, mesures de ré sultat, exercice de la physiothé rapie, ré adaptat...

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