Use of survey research methods to study clinical decision making: referral to physical therapy of children with cerebral palsy.

Abstract

Because of the lack of a strong body of research literature to support the efficacy of physical therapy in the management of physical disability, therapists, physicians, and others must operate in the realm of uncertainty when deciding whom to refer and whom to treat in a cost-effective manner. Despite the increasing passage of direct-access legislation allowing physical therapists more independence in the decision of whom to treat, physical therapy decision making remains strongly influenced by physicians' decisions regarding patient referral. This article describes a survey research approach to studying physicians' decisions regarding referral. A study, now in the pilot stage, regarding referral of young children with cerebral palsy (CP) to physical therapy will be used as an example. Why are physicians' decisions regarding referral of children with CP important to study?…