Patient’s Perception of Nigerian Physiotherapists as Supplementary Prescribers

Abstract

In supplementary prescription (SP) of drugs; patient must consent and ascent to clinical management plans (CMP) and this is the principle of shared decision making (SDM). Shared decision making is a modern care ideology being used to promote effective treatment of patients. If physiotherapists are to become supplementary prescribers (SPs) it is important to seek patient’s opinion as they are also expected to be involved in drawing the CMP. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the opinion of Nigerian patients on enlistment and legislation of physiotherapists as supplementary prescribers. A structured and self-administered questionnaire was used to seek the opinion of 240 patients. They were selected from purposively selected health institutions in Nigeria. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage and non-parametric inferential statistics (chi-square). A significant number of patients opined that prescription of drugs should not be restricted to medical doctors alone (X2 =193.67, P<0.001). One hundred and ninety four (81.17%) participants supported the enactment of policies that will recognize physiotherapists as SPs. Similarly, a significant number of patients opined that physiotherapist should only prescribe oral drugs at the chronic stage of diseases (X2 =35.53, P<0.001). Majority opined that supplementary prescribing will reduce waiting time in hospital (92.89%), reduce burden on medical doctors (94.48%); and increase accessibility and timely intervention of medical care (94.15%). In conclusion, most patients opined that Nigeria physiotherapists should be allowed to become supplementary prescribers of relevant oral drugs because of the enormous benefits to patient care. Also, an enactment should be made to protect them against litigations.