Views of chartered physiotherapists on the psychological content of their practice: a preliminary study in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: Although research into the psychological aspects of sports injury is increasing and psychological interventions have been identified as important in the rehabilitation process, few studies have focused on how sports medicine practitioners deal with psychological problems. Objective: To investigate the perceptions of English chartered physiotherapists on the psychological content of their practice. Methods: The Physiotherapist and Sport Psychology Questionnaire (PSPQ) was adapted slightly from the Athletic Trainer and Sport Psychology Questionnaire and used in this study. A survey package comprising a PSPQ, introductory letter, and self addressed envelope was mailed to 179 chartered physiotherapists registered in the England Eastern Region Sports Medicine Directory. Results: In total, 90 (50% response rate) questionnaires were returned. The sample consisted of 67 women and 23 men with a mean (SD) age of 40.1 (5.4) years and 9.2 (3.1) years of experience as chartered physiotherapists. Descriptive statistical and qualitative analysis showed that physiotherapists believed athletes were often psychologically affected by injury. The physiotherapists also reported often using psychological techniques when treating injured athletes, but few reported having access to a sport psychologist for referral. Conclusions: This research indicates that future physiotherapy education may need more emphasis on the psychological aspect of injury, and seek to increase knowledge on the potential of using psychological interventions within a physiotherapy rehabilitation programme. Furthermore, some form of referral network should be established between chartered physiotherapists and sport psychologists.

Musculoskeletal physiotherapists’ use of psychological interventions: a systematic review of therapists’ perceptions and practice

“…Screening of the titles and abstracts of these articles resulted in 10 studies being identified as appropriate for full text review. After obtaining full text copies of each of these articles a total of 6 were accepted for inclusion in this systematic review (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27).…”

“…Three studies focused on physiotherapists working predominately in a sports environment (22,23,25). The other three studies focused on physiotherapists working in general musculoskeletal outpatient settings (24,26,27). Three studies used qualitative semistructured interviews (22,26,27), two studies used quantitative surveys (24,25) and one study used a mixed methodology (23).…”

“…Three studies used qualitative semistructured interviews (22,26,27), two studies used quantitative surveys (24,25) and one study used a mixed methodology (23). Five studies sought to gain an insight into physiotherapists' perceived learning needs regarding psychological training (22)(23)(24)(25)(26). All the studies investigated common psychological symptoms that physiotherapists encounter within clinical practice (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27).…”

“…The other three studies focused on physiotherapists working in general musculoskeletal outpatient settings (24,26,27). Three studies used qualitative semistructured interviews (22,26,27), two studies used quantitative surveys (24,25) and one study used a mixed methodology (23). Five studies sought to gain an insight into physiotherapists' perceived learning needs regarding psychological training (22)(23)(24)(25)(26).…”

“…All studies involved exploration of musculoskeletal physiotherapists' perceptions regarding the use of psychological interventions in physiotherapy practice (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). Three studies focused on physiotherapists working predominately in a sports environment (22,23,25).…”