Licensed Physical Therapists’ Preparation, Comfort in and Frequency of Providing Nutrition Related Patient Education

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine physical therapist’s education, comfort in and frequency of providing nutrition related patient education. Review of Literature: Nutrition impacts the recovery and function of patients; however, there is limited research on physical therapist’s preparation and use of nutrition patient education. Subjects: 125 physical therapists from our universities’ 169 clinical partners in the Northeast Region of the United States participated. Methods: A 28-question survey gathering information on demographics, comfort in and frequency of providing nutrition patient education was created and sent to clinical partners. Results: Practice settings were 52.4% outpatient, 29.4% acute care, 9.5% pediatrics, and 7.9% acute rehab/LTACH. The average number of nutrition courses taken was .8 ± 1.0 during their curriculum and .6 ± 1.0 for continuing education. Only 8.4% reported feeling nutrition was sufficiently covered in their physical therapy program. 52% felt sometimes prepared and 23.2% felt infrequently prepared to discuss nutrition topics with their patients. 71.3% of respondents stated nutrition education should be a part of their patients’ overarching wellness care All the Time or Quite Frequently. Discussion and Conclusion: Practicing physical therapists often believe nutrition patient education may benefit patient rehabilitation, but many therapists surveyed felt underprepared.