Article type
Year
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Country-by-country differences exist in which physical therapists make decisions regarding treatment. In the Philippines, there is no published information about physical therapists and what underpins their decisions in patient treatment. Thus, we conducted this study aimed at creating a profile of physical therapists in the Philippines and their bases for selecting of treatment.
Methods: We used the Physical Therapy Profile Questionnaire (PTPQ) from our previous study. The PTPQ was administered in two ways. Paper copies were distributed in the national capital region of the Philippines, where 71 % of physical therapists practice and, a link to an electronic copy of the questionnaire via the Survey monkey software.
Results: A total of 133 (response rate of 61.5 %) physical therapists took part in this survey. Seventy-three (55 %) were females and 60 (45 %) were males. Only 12 (9 %) completed a masterás degree related to physical therapy. The largest percentage of respondents had been practicing for five years or less, N = 89 (67 %). The majority of respondents were in general areas of practice. Most physical therapists were based in hospitals and majority performed clinical work with/without other roles in practice. The most common bases for treatment interventions in daily practice were: (1) medical prescription, (2) clinical experience and (3) undergraduate education. When faced with a new or difficult case, the most common bases for treatment decisions were: (1) medical prescription, (2) clinical experience and hospital protocol (equally rated) and (3) journal articles.
Conclusions: Physical therapists in the Philippines are composed of a young population and are mostly based in hospitals. Treatment is based on the doctors' referral, which includes a medical prescription of treatment. This challenges their capacity to deliver treatment with the best evidence. Therefore, training on evidence-based practice may be useful for them to make recommendations for treatment with the best evidence.
Methods: We used the Physical Therapy Profile Questionnaire (PTPQ) from our previous study. The PTPQ was administered in two ways. Paper copies were distributed in the national capital region of the Philippines, where 71 % of physical therapists practice and, a link to an electronic copy of the questionnaire via the Survey monkey software.
Results: A total of 133 (response rate of 61.5 %) physical therapists took part in this survey. Seventy-three (55 %) were females and 60 (45 %) were males. Only 12 (9 %) completed a masterás degree related to physical therapy. The largest percentage of respondents had been practicing for five years or less, N = 89 (67 %). The majority of respondents were in general areas of practice. Most physical therapists were based in hospitals and majority performed clinical work with/without other roles in practice. The most common bases for treatment interventions in daily practice were: (1) medical prescription, (2) clinical experience and (3) undergraduate education. When faced with a new or difficult case, the most common bases for treatment decisions were: (1) medical prescription, (2) clinical experience and hospital protocol (equally rated) and (3) journal articles.
Conclusions: Physical therapists in the Philippines are composed of a young population and are mostly based in hospitals. Treatment is based on the doctors' referral, which includes a medical prescription of treatment. This challenges their capacity to deliver treatment with the best evidence. Therefore, training on evidence-based practice may be useful for them to make recommendations for treatment with the best evidence.