Community Based Physiotherapy in the Trent Region: A Survey

Abstract

A survey was carried out to investigate community based physiotherapists employed by Trent Regional Health Authority. Questionnaires were distributed to 150 community based physiotherapists employed by Trent RHA, of which 97 (65%) were returned. Information was obtained on personal details, geographical location and distribution, transport, referral mechanisms, treatment, patient details, equipment, educational background, assistant availability and interdisciplinary communication. The majority of therapists had been recruited during the past five years, and had been qualified for 11–15 years. The most common venue for treatment was the patient's own home, resulting in an average of 16% of the working day spent in transit. Most referrals came from GPs, but therapists were often dissatisfied with the information given in the referral documentation. Conditions referred for community based physiotherapy included strokes and other neurological problems, mobility cases, the elderly, soft tissue injuries, rheumatological conditions, trauma and orthopaedics, and back and neck problems. A majority (68.4%) of respondents stated that they were not involved in any formal health education/health promotion activities. There was general satisfaction with access to equipment, with in-service training, and with the links with other community based professionals. Areas for further investigation include case-load analysis, referral documentation, administrative support, use of assistants, provision of paediatric physiotherapy, and the potential for health education/health promotion strategies. A survey was carried out to investigate community based physiotherapists employed by Trent Regional Health Authority. Questionnaires were distributed to 150 community based physiotherapists employed by Trent RHA, of which 97 (65%) were returned. Information was obtained on personal details, geographical location and distribution, transport, referral mechanisms, treatment, patient details, equipment, educational background, assistant availability and interdisciplinary communication. The majority of therapists had been recruited during the past five years, and had been qualified for 11–15 years. The most common venue for treatment was the patient's own home, resulting in an average of 16% of the working day spent in transit. Most referrals came from GPs, but therapists were often dissatisfied with the information given in the referral documentation. Conditions referred for community based physiotherapy included strokes and other neurological problems, mobility cases, the elderly, soft tissue injuries, rheumatological conditions, trauma and orthopaedics, and back and neck problems. A majority (68.4%) of respondents stated that they were not involved in any formal health education/health promotion activities. There was general satisfaction with access to equipment, with in-service training, and with the links with other community based professionals. Areas for further investigation include case-load analysis, referral documentation, administrative support, use of assistants, provision of paediatric physiotherapy, and the potential for health education/health promotion strategies.