Observing the Clinical use of Ultrasound Imaging by Physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to design a questionnaire to survey physiotherapists’ use of ultrasound imaging(USI), identify barriers to use, and determine what training physiotherapists require.Background: USI is becoming increasingly common in physiotherapy practice, but it is highly operator-dependent,and there are safety and professional issues regarding its use. Physiotherapists using USI currently lack specifictraining guidelines. As a result, it is necessary to not only evaluate the context of its clinical use but also to identifythe barriers preventing its uptake. However, few regulatory bodies guide the use of USI in physical therapy.The scope of practice for physical therapists in using USI is limited, as well as the opportunities for continuingeducation.Methods: A questionnaire was developed based on research literature and guidelines.Design: Cross-sectional observational design utilizing an Internet-based electronic survey.Results: The majority of respondents were male (N= 111, 73.50%), and the rest were female (N= 40, 26.50%). Mostof the respondents said they don’t perform USI in clinical practice (N= 99, 65.10%), and they stated that lack oftraining and lack of ultrasound machines are the main barriers that limit them from using USI (N= 59, 60.80%) and(N= 54, 55.70%).Conclusions: The participants reported a variety of clinical uses for USI and levels of training. Training anduptake of USI would both be enhanced by more knowledge of its clinical uses and benefits. Barriers preventingphysiotherapists from using USI in Saudi Arabia and ways to overcome them are discussed.