Expert Decision Making in Physical Therapy—A Survey of Practitioners

Abstract

Four hundred American and 384 Australian physical therapists, nominated by their peers as expert clinicians, were studied to evaluate whether a particular cognitive style was prevalent among expert clinicians, to identify preferred sources of information for clinical decision making, and to determine the similarities and differences between American and Australian therapists. Results were based on usable survey responses from 348 American and 290 Australian therapists. Eighty-eight percent of the American therapists and 82% of the Australian therapists identified themselves as working primarily in general practice, orthopedics, or neurology. The physical therapy assessment and interviews with the patient were the preferred sources of information in both countries. The physician's referral and communications with other health care personnel were reported to be of limited value as sources of information by most respondents. Overall, both groups responded most positively to the receptive style of data gathering and the systematic style of information processing. Therapists working primarily with neurologically impaired patients responded most positively to the preceptive style of data gathering and the intuitive style of information processing. Therapists working primarily with patients with orthopedic disorders responded most positively to the systematic style of information processing.