Factors influencing the use of outcome measures in physiotherapy management of lung transplant patients in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

Outcome measurements are used to determine the effectiveness of patient management. This study aimed to identify the outcome measures used in the physiotherapy management of lung transplant patients in Australia and New Zealand, and the factors influencing their use. A cross-sectional, descriptive, qualitative design was used to survey physiotherapists working with pre and post lung transplant patients in all major transplant centres and associated hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. The survey instrument was developed in consultation with transplant physiotherapists. The instrument included three main areas; demographics, specific outcome measures and therapist perceptions regarding the usefulness of current measurement tools. Physiotherapists participating in this survey were sent a copy of the survey tool and then were interviewed by phone. Eighteen physiotherapists (response rate 86%) from seventeen hospitals completed the survey. On average, participants estimated that their physiotherapy departments had managed 19 (SD 28, range 1–100) pre-transplant patients and 26 (SD 55.9, range 0–200) post-transplant patients in the past year. The most common outcome measures used were exercise tolerance tests, dyspnea scores, and ability to carry out activities of daily living. Time, reliability/validity issues and equipment requirements were reported to be the key factors influencing the use of outcome measures.