Involving Physiotherapists in the Conduct of Research: A Mixed Methods Study of Physiotherapist Experiences, Perceptions, and Clinical Practice in a Research Project Using a Standardized Clinical Measure of Standing Balance

Abstract

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to understand the experiences, perceptions, and clinical practice of physiotherapists involved in planning, data collection, and interpretation for a study using a standardized measure of standing balance (the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test [Mini BESTest]). Method: We conducted a concurrent mixed methods study. We conducted semi-structured interviews with five phsyiotherapists exploring perceptions and experiences. We administered questionnaires on study satisfaction, confidence, and intention to use the Mini BESTest six times during the study. We extracted use of the Mini BESTest on non-study patients from a patient database. Results: Physiotherapists administered the Mini BESTest for all 59 clinical study patients. Study satisfaction was high (median 80%) and increased over time ( p < 0.05). Physiotherapists described generally positive experiences. Confidence in ability to administer, score, and interpret the Mini BESTest increased (all p < 0.05), although perceptions of the Mini BESTest varied. Intention to use the Mini BESTest did not change and physiotherapists used the Mini BESTest on non-study patients on average 11 times during the clinical study (range 0–33). Conclusions: Involving physiotherapists in clinical research increased confidence and use of the measure with non-study patients.