Physiotherapists In Australia Research Articles

How do clinical placements influence the career decisions of new-graduate physiotherapists in Australia? A qualitative exploration.

The variables that contribute to positive and negative experiences of clinical education amongst student physiotherapists are well established. Multiple stakeholders are invested in the ongoing success of physiotherapy clinical placements given workforce challenges within the profession and the emerging relationship between clinical placements and new-graduate recruitment. However, little is known about the relationship between clinical placement experiences and the career decisions of new-graduate physiotherapists. To explore the influence of clinical placement experiences on new-graduate physiotherapists' career intentions and decision making. A qualitative study which used a general inductive approach. New-graduate physiotherapists (n = 18) were recruited through a snowball sampling approach and participated in semi-structured interviews. Ethical approval was obtained from The University of Queensland. Four overarching themes were generated; (1) clinical placements impact career decisions, (2) placements as a trial for future employment to identify professional preferences, (3) feeling valued as a team member, and (4) clinical educators' shape placement experiences. Clinical placements play a significant role in directing new-graduate physiotherapists' careers, with clinical placement viewed as an opportunity to explore one's career options. A complex interplay of clinical and nonclinical variables was acknowledged by new-graduates, with positive experiences during clinical placements considered to increase new-graduate physiotherapist intentions to work in similar settings or contexts. Factors that contributed to positive experiences included accessible mentorship from clinical educators with regular feedback, and opportunities for the students' contribution and clinical capacity to be acknowledged and valued. Recommendations are made for creating supportive workplace environments for clinical education and include prioritizing supportive mentorship. Clinical placement providers intending to recruit new-graduates who have attended their workplace as students may benefit from implementing strategies that assist students to feel supported as valued members of the team. Additionally, the findings of this study may guide education providers when considering the training delivered to new and existing clinical placement sites with the aim of providing supported student learning environments.

Employers most desirable attributes in early-career physiotherapists: a content analysis of job advertisements

BackgroundEnsuring a sufficient, appropriately qualified health workforce is of global concern. Understanding the attributes that employers seek is critical in recruitment, retention, and educational design. In physiotherapy, there is a dearth of evidence on desirable attributes that employers seek from early-career physiotherapists. This study directly addresses this gap. The aims of this study were to identify the characteristics of the jobs advertised for early-career physiotherapists in Australia; determine which attributes were most desired when employing an early-career physiotherapist; and identify if there were differences in the attributes required based upon workplace location.MethodsNew graduate and early-career physiotherapy job advertisements were collected for six months from 1st October 2020 until 31st March 2021 from SEEK.com.au, a large online employment marketplace that operates across ten countries in the Asia Pacific and Latin America. Job advertisements needed to specify new graduate or early-career physiotherapist eligibility and be located within Australia. Data extraction were completed using QuestionPro®. The Modified Monash Model was used to classify rurality of job location. Job advertisements were analysed descriptively and using content analysis to identify attributes.ResultsThe search yielded 578 job advertisements with the greatest number collected in October 2020 (25.3%). Of the advertisements, 428 (74.0%) were in metropolitan locations (Modified Monash 1), 47 (8.1%) were in regional (Modified Monash 2), 99 (17.1%) were in rural locations (Modified Monash 3–5), and 4 (0.8%) were in remote locations (Modified Monash 6–7). Most roles were in private practice (63.3%) or aged care (21.7%). The top five attributes requested by employers were client focus, communication and interpersonal skills, team player, willingness to learn, and being able to build rapport, relationships, and networks. Academic results, resilience, and empathy were the least requested attributes. Differences in requested employability attributes increased with rurality.ConclusionsThis study addresses the current knowledge about attributes sought by employers for early-career physiotherapists. The most prevalent attributes requested were client focus and communication and interpersonal skills. This exploration of attributes can help to better prepare graduates for their first roles, align expectations, and increase understanding of priorities for entry level university programs, as well as identify priorities for support during transition to practice. Desired attributes should be clearly defined by employers in recruitment and retention processes.

Clinician Awareness of Stickler Syndromes Among Australian Allied Health Care Professionals.

Stickler Syndromes are multisystem collagenopathies affecting 1 in 7500-9000 individuals and are associated with craniofacial, ocular, auditory, and musculoskeletal complications. Prophylactic retinopexy treatment reduces the risk of retinal detachment, emphasising the need for early detection and multidisciplinary referral. This study evaluated knowledge and awareness of Stickler Syndromes among allied health professionals and their perceived needs for targeted education to improve multidisciplinary care. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among audiologists, speech pathologists, optometrists, orthoptists, and physiotherapists in Australia. Survey questions included practitioner demographics, awareness and knowledge of Stickler Syndromes, confidence managing Stickler Syndromes, and perception of multidisciplinary care needs for Stickler Syndromes. Of 180 healthcare professions who participated (79% female; 78% aged between 25 and 44 years), 55% indicated that they had heard of Stickler Syndrome, and 14% had directly worked with patients known to have Stickler Syndromes. Practitioners who had were either optometrists, orthoptists, or audiologists. The most recognised clinical sign of Stickler Syndromes was retinal detachment (selected by 66% of optometrists and orthoptists and 16% of other professions), but only 41% of optometrists and orthoptists (27% all respondents) selected cryopexy as a potential management strategy. Vitreous anomaly was recognised as a clinical feature by 20% of all respondents. Overall, 69% of allied health professionals did not feel confident managing Stickler Syndromes, and a similar number of practitioners (69%) indicated that they were willing to attend professional development courses for complex conditions such as Stickler Syndromes. This study provides meaningful insights on awareness and knowledge of Stickler Syndromes among allied healthcare professionals. Targeted clinician education, enhanced communication between healthcare entities, and multidisciplinary care programs can significantly improve the integrated care of Stickler Syndromes leading to better patient outcomes.

The how and why of handgrip strength assessment

Introduction: Occupational therapists and physiotherapists routinely assess Hand grip Strength (HGS) to evaluate hand function. This study explored the experiences of clinicians who regularly assess and evaluate HGS including the testing protocol utilised, evaluation methods and the influence of various biological and functional factors. Method: This exploratory survey ( n = 49) was distributed online to members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association. The questionnaire asked recipients to identify HGS testing protocols, evaluation methods, use of normative data, reasons for assessment and the influence of biological and functional factors on HGS. Demographic data was also collected. Results: Sixty-four percent of respondents were occupational therapists and 59% had over 10 years’ experience assessing HGS. The standardised American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) testing protocol was consistently adopted by only 67% of respondents . Variations in contraction time, scoring and evaluation methods were identified. Gender, age, employment and lifestyle were considered the functional and biological factors which influence HGS. Conclusion: This study details how and why occupational therapists and physiotherapists in Australia assess and evaluate HGS. Use of the ASHT testing protocol is not universal. Clinicians rely on the reason for assessment, clinical experience and practice context to determine how they assess and evaluate HGS.

Clinical Documentation During Clinical Placements: Perspectives of Physiotherapy Students and Clinical Educators

Background: Clinical documentation is a critical form of communication in healthcare settings. As defined by the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds, clinical documentation that complies with relevant professional and legal obligations is a requirement for all physiotherapists in Australia and New Zealand. Aims: The aims of this study were to explore the experiences of clinical documentation and perceived support and training needs for physiotherapy students whilst on clinical placement, from the perspective of students and clinical educators. Method: A qualitative approach was used to investigate physiotherapy student (n=18) and clinical educator (n=17) experiences and perspectives. Interviews from eight focus groups were professionally transcribed, and reflexive thematic analysis was applied to the data to determine common themes. Results: Four overarching themes were generated; 1) Recognising the value of documentation, 2) Variance of expectations, 3) Challenges in measuring performance, and 4) Clinical placement readiness and requirements. Conclusion: The main findings from this study identify the unique challenges that students experience to meet documentation requirements on clinical placement. This study highlights the shared responsibility of university education providers and clinical placement facilities to support students to understand the importance of clinical documentation and assist in improving their documentation skills.

Physiotherapists vary in their knowledge of and approach to working with patients who are LGBTQIA+: a qualitative study.

What are the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge gaps of physiotherapists in Australia regarding working with patients who identify as LGBTQIA+? Qualitative design using a custom online survey. Physiotherapists currently practising in Australia. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. A total of 273 participants met the eligibility criteria. Participating physiotherapists were predominantly female (73%), aged between 22 and 67 years, residing in a large Australian city (77%) and working in musculoskeletal physiotherapy (57%), in private practice (50%) and hospital (33%) settings. Almost 6% self-identified as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Only 4% of the participants had received training related to healthcare interactions or cultural safety for working with patients who identify as LGBTQIA+ in the context of physiotherapy. Three main themes regarding approaches to physiotherapy management were identified: treating the whole person in context, treating everyone the same, and treating the body part. Gaps in knowledge were primarily related to understandings of the relevance of sexual orientation and gender identity to physiotherapy and health issues specific to LGBTQIA+ patients. Physiotherapists can be considered to approach gender identity and sexual orientation in three distinct ways and suggest a range of knowledge and attitudes about working with patients who identify as LGBTQIA+. Physiotherapists who consider gender identity and sexual orientation to be relevant to physiotherapy consultations appear to have higher levels of knowledge and understanding of this topic and may also understand physiotherapy as multifactorial and not only biomedical.

Clinical reasoning in managing chronic hip pain: One in two Australian and New Zealand physiotherapists diagnosed a case vignette with clinical criteria for hip OA as hip OA. A cross-sectional survey.

Using a case vignette of an adult (George) presenting with hip pain consistent with hip OA, this study aimed to describe: (a) whether physiotherapists make diagnoses and identify bodily structures using either patient history and/or physical examination findings; (b) which diagnoses and bodily structures physiotherapists attribute to the hip pain; (c) how confident physiotherapists were in their clinical reasoning using patient history and physical examination findings; (d) what treatments physiotherapists would offer to George. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of physiotherapists in Australia and New Zealand. We used descriptive statistics to analyse closed questions and content analysis for open-text responses. Two hundred and twenty physiotherapists completed the survey (39% response-rate). After receiving the patient history, 64% diagnosed George's pain and 49% of these as hip OA; 95% attributed George's pain to a bodily structure(s). After receiving the physical examination, 81% diagnosed George's hip pain and 52% of these as hip OA; 96% attributed George's hip pain to a bodily structure(s). Ninety-six percent of respondents were at least somewhat confident in their diagnosis after the patient history, and 95% were similarly confident after the physical examination. Most respondents offered advice (98%) and exercise (99%), but fewer offered treatments for weight loss (31%), medication (11%), and psychosocial factors (<15%). About half of the physiotherapists that diagnosed George's hip pain made a diagnosis of hip OA, despite the case vignette including clinical criteria for a diagnosis of OA. Physiotherapists offered exercise and education, but many physiotherapists did not offer other clinically indicated and recommended treatments, such as weight loss and sleep advice.

Implementation of physiotherapy-led lung ultrasound in the intensive care unit.

The use of lung ultrasound (LUS) in clinical settings is emerging as an important tool in the assessment of lung pathology and/or function and has gained considerable acceptance. LUS is being integrated into clinical care by trained respiratory physiotherapists and has been shown to influence physiotherapists' clinical decision-making in the respiratory management of patients. Considering the use of LUS by physiotherapy is in its infancy and still evolving, there is likely variability in the ability and confidence of physiotherapists to use LUS in clinical practice, both in Australia and internationally. While the UK has had a rapid increase in the number of LUS-accredited physiotherapists (n = 111), the number of LUS-accredited physiotherapists in Australia remains very low (n = 4). There is a growing body of work in the UK on physiotherapy-led LUS in respiratory care, however, there is currently little work published on the practicalities of training and establishing physiotherapy-led LUS in Australia. This report describes the training and implementation of physiotherapy-led LUS in the intensive care unit from a regional hospital perspective.

Implementing telehealth-delivered group-based education and exercise for osteoarthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods evaluation

Introduction: The Good Life with osteoArthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®) program provides group-based education (2 sessions) and exercise-therapy (12 sessions) for people with knee and hip osteoarthritis at >500 sites in Australia and is associated with clinically meaningful improvements in pain and quality of life (QoL). During the COVID-19 pandemic, physiotherapists in Australia were supported to provide GLA:D® via telehealth. The aim of this mixed-methods project was to evaluate the implementation of GLA:D® via telehealth.

Exploration of physiotherapists’ use of motor control strategies for the treatment of idiopathic toe walking in children: a qualitative study

ObjectivesTo explore how motor control interventions are conceptualised during treatment of children with idiopathic toe walking (ITW) by physiotherapists in Australia and USA.DesignA thematic content framework qualitative design was used...

An international survey of current physiotherapy practice in diagnosis and knowledge translation of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS)

To evaluate how physiotherapists across three countries (Australia, New Zealand (NZ) and Ireland) diagnose greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) using clinical tests and imaging findings, and how physiotherapists update their knowledge regarding GTPS. Cross-sectional observational study of physiotherapists. An online survey was distributed to registered physiotherapists in Australia, NZ and Ireland. Ordinal and nominal data were analysed using frequency counts or mean ranks; medians and interquartile ranges were calculated for numerical data. Comparisons between the three countries were made using Chi-squared analyses for nominal/ordinal data and Kruskal Wallis tests for numerical data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Valid responses were received from 361 physiotherapists; 61% were female and 79.8% worked in private practice. Most respondents were very confident in diagnosing GTPS (67.9%) and incorporated a range of symptoms and tests, including validated tests, in their diagnosis. However, many physiotherapists were not commonly using some available validated diagnostic tests (e.g. FABER and FADER-R). Approximately 30% of physiotherapists used imaging to inform assessment, with ultrasound being most preferred. Physiotherapists rated hands-on experience as most valuable for updating their knowledge of GTPS, followed by courses. While most clinicians appear to be using current evidence in their assessment of patients with GTPS, a proportion use suboptimal methods and/or a limited range of diagnostic tests, suggesting that despite their confidence in diagnosis, further knowledge translation may be required. Future research should determine the best methods of facilitating knowledge acquisition and translation of research into practice.

Physiotherapy management of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS): an international survey of current physiotherapy practice

ObjectivesThis study aimed to establish and compare current physiotherapy management of GTPS in Australia, New Zealand (NZ) and Ireland. DesignCross-sectional observational survey of physiotherapists. MethodsAn online survey was distributed to registered musculoskeletal physiotherapists in Australia, NZ and Ireland. Ordinal and nominal data were analysed using frequency counts or mean ranks; median and interquartile ranges were calculated for numerical data. Inter-country comparisons were made using Chi-squared analyses for nominal/ordinal data and Kruskal–Wallis tests for numerical data. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results/findingsValid responses were received from 361 physiotherapists, 61% were female and 80% worked in private practice. Overall, consistency in treatment of GTPS was observed across the three countries. All physiotherapists used education and exercise (most commonly strengthening and neuromuscular control) primarily targeting the gluteal muscles. Other interventions included massage (90%), stretching (53%), range of motion (40%), thermal modalities (50%), taping (38%) and electrotherapy (25%), whilst 40% commonly recommended up to 2 to 3 corticosteroid injections per patient/per annum. Physiotherapists used pain severity scales as their primary outcome measure (79%). Single leg stance was the most common physical measure used (68%), and global rating scores or standardised physical measures were less commonly used. ConclusionThis international survey established the physiotherapy management of GTPS. Education used in conjunction with exercise is in line with current evidence, but a proportion of clinicians use adjunct treatments without clear rationale or supporting evidence. Results indicate the need to further define optimal management of GTPS using robust methodologies such as randomised controlled trials.

Perceptions of Australian physiotherapy students about the potential implementation of physiotherapist prescribing in Australia: a national survey

ObjectivesTo explore the perceptions of Australian physiotherapy students about (1) the potential implementation and use of non-medical prescribing by physiotherapists in Australia and (2) how physiotherapist prescribing might impact the...

Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy training and practice in Australia.

In 2018, Australia's population of approximately 25 million people is serviced by almost 32 000 registered physiotherapists [1]. Physiotherapists in Australia traditionally obtain their qualification via a 4-year, full-time equivalent undergraduate professional degree. This typically involves 2 or 3 years of full-time, university-based education followed by full-time clinical education, during which the student is immersed in real-world clinical training under the supervision of physiotherapy clinicians.

Views and perceptions of Australian physiotherapists and physiotherapy students about the potential implementation of physiotherapist prescribing in Australia: a survey protocol

BackgroundNon-medical prescribing (NMP) is acknowledged as an expanding area of clinical practice across the world. The physiotherapy profession is currently investigating the introduction of physiotherapist prescribing in Australia, with the case for reform centred around meeting the healthcare needs of the current and future Australian population. Conflict within a profession has been identified as a barrier to implementation of new clinical innovations. An online survey has been developed with the aim to collect and synthesise the views and perceptions of Australian physiotherapists and physiotherapy students about the potential use of NMP by physiotherapists in Australia.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive survey design, using a pre-tested online questionnaire, including quantitative and qualitative components, will be utilised to explore the views and perceptions of Australian physiotherapists and physiotherapy students regarding NMP by physiotherapists in Australia. Quantitative data will be analysed descriptively and regression analysis will be utilised to identify associations between the specific question outcomes and demographic data. A thematic analytical approach will be utilised to synthesise qualitative data from open-questions.DiscussionThe results from this survey will serve to inform decision-makers about the current views of the Australian physiotherapy profession with regards to the potential implementation of physiotherapist prescribing in Australia. Data will be used in conjunction with cost-benefit analyses, risk analysis as well as assessment of the health-requirements and consultation with key stakeholders including the Australian health consumer when contemplating change.

Complaints about chiropractors, osteopaths, and physiotherapists: a retrospective cohort study of health, performance, and conduct concerns

BackgroundRecent media reports have highlighted the risks to patients that may occur when practitioners in the chiropractic, osteopathy and physiotherapy professions provide services in an unethical or unsafe manner. Yet research on complaints about chiropractors, osteopaths, and physiotherapists is limited. Our aim was to understand differences in the frequency and nature of formal complaints about practitioners in these professions in order to inform improvements in professional regulation and education.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analysed all formal complaints about all registered chiropractors, osteopaths, and physiotherapists in Australia lodged with health regulators between 2011 and 2016. Based on initial assessments by regulators, complaints were classified into 11 complaint issues across three domains: performance, professional conduct, and health. Differences in complaint rate were assessed using incidence rate ratios. A multivariate negative binomial regression model was used to identify predictors of complaints among practitioners in these professions.ResultsPatients and their relatives were the most common source of complaints about chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists. Concerns about professional conduct accounted for more than half of the complaints about practitioners in these three professions. Regulatory outcome of complaints differed by profession. Male practitioners, those who were older than 65 years, and those who practised in metropolitan areas were at higher risk of complaint. The overall rate of complaints was higher for chiropractors than osteopaths and physiotherapists (29 vs. 10 vs. 5 complaints per 1000 practice years respectively, p < 0.001). Among chiropractors, 1% of practitioners received more than one complaint – they accounted for 36% of the complaints within their profession.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates differences in the frequency of complaints by source, issue and outcome across the chiropractic, osteopathic and physiotherapy professions. Independent of profession, male sex and older age were significant risk factors for complaint in these professions. Chiropractors were at higher risk of being the subject of a complaint to their practitioner board compared with osteopaths and physiotherapists. These findings may assist regulatory boards, professional associations and universities in developing programs that avert patient dissatisfaction and harm and reduce the burden of complaints on practitioners.

A qualitative exploration of the factors influencing the job satisfaction and career development of physiotherapists in private practice

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate factors contributing to job satisfaction at different career stages, among private practice physiotherapists in Australia. DesignQualitative case study design utilising focus groups. ParticipantsSixteen participants allocated to 3 focus groups: new graduates (n = 6), post graduates (n = 5) and practice owners (n = 5). Main outcome measuresFocus groups were transcribed verbatim and a thematic analysis was undertaken to determine themes and subthemes from each focus group. ResultsThe key themes identified within each focus group included the role of peer support and mentoring, professional development, professional relationships, new graduate employment issues and career pathways within private practice. In particular, issues surrounding the new graduate experience in private practice were explored, with all groups noting lack of support and financial pressures were of concern. ConclusionsFindings demonstrated that new graduates are underprepared to work in private practice and modifications to the delivery of peer support, mentoring and professional development is required. Key recommendations include physiotherapy undergraduate program reform to reflect industry requirements in private practice, an increase in private practice clinical placement numbers, as well as streamlining the physiotherapy profession to improve career development pathways.

Australian physiotherapy workforce at a glance: a narrative review.

Background The ability of the physiotherapy workforce to meet the growing demand in the Australian community is uncertain, despite increasing tertiary students and numbers of registered physiotherapists annually. Objectives The present narrative literature review investigates what is known about the Australian physiotherapy workforce, what factors contribute to attrition from the profession and what strategies could be implemented to improve retention of skilled physiotherapists. Methods A literature search of five databases identified 24 articles that informed the content of the present review. The articles were reviewed and content summarised according to focus areas and results discussed in the current Australian healthcare context. Results Although many factors of attrition are inevitable, the present review identified some potentially modifiable factors of attrition. Strategies to improve retention of skilled physiotherapists were broadly grouped into improving professional support in the workforce and assisting the re-entry process for physiotherapists seeking to return to the workforce. Conclusion Increasing retention of qualified and skilled physiotherapists nationally will help build workforce capacity, meeting the needs of the growing, changing and aging community. What is known about the topic? The demand for physiotherapists is growing significantly in Australia and the ability of the workforce to meet growing demands is uncertain. What does this paper add? Many physiotherapists in Australia leave the workforce and the profession early in their careers. Addressing modifiable factors of attrition could help improve the retention of practitioners and skills in the profession, building workforce capacity. What are the implications for practitioners? Professional support for current physiotherapists is crucial. Re-entry physiotherapists should be supported with flexible return-to-work programs, refresher training and mentorship.

An experienced physiotherapist prescribing and administering corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injections to the shoulder in an Australian orthopaedic service, a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial and economic analysis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BackgroundThe early management of orthopaedic outpatients by physiotherapists may be useful in reducing public hospital waiting lists. Physiotherapists in Australia are prevented by legislation and funding models from investigating, prescribing, injecting and referring autonomously. This gap in service is particularly noticeable in the management of shoulder pain in early-access physiotherapy services, as patients needing corticosteroid injection face delays or transfer to other services for this procedure. This trial will investigate the clinical (decision making and outcomes) and economic feasibility of a physiotherapist prescribing and delivering corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injections for shoulder pain in an Australian public hospital setting.Methods/DesignA double-blinded (patient and assessor) non-inferiority randomised controlled trial will compare an orthopaedic surgeon and a physiotherapist prescribing and delivering corticosteroid injections to the shoulder. Agreement in decision making between the two clinicians will be investigated, and economic information will be obtained for estimating disease burden and an economic evaluation. The surgeon and the physiotherapist will independently assess patients, and 64 eligible participants will be randomised to receive subacromial injection of corticosteroid and local anaesthetic from either the surgeon or the physiotherapist. Post-injection, all participants will receive physiotherapy. The primary outcome measure will be the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index measured at baseline, and at 6 and 12 weeks post-injection. Analysis will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis and compared to a per-protocol analysis. A cost-utility analysis will be undertaken from the perspective of the health funder.DiscussionFindings will assist policy makers and services in improving access for orthopaedic patients.Trial registrationAustralia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: 12612000532808 First registered: 21 May 2012. First participant randomized: 16 January 2013.

Chiropractors' attitudes toward drug prescription rights: a narrative review.

BackgroundThe right to prescribe drugs remains a contentious issue within the chiropractic profession. Nevertheless, drug prescription by manual therapy providers is currently an important topic. Notably, physiotherapists in the United Kingdom were recently granted limited independent prescribing rights. Reports suggest that physiotherapists in Australia now want those same rights, and as such a review of chiropractors’ general attitudes toward drug prescription is needed.ObjectiveTo examine the literature concerning chiropractors’ attitudes toward drug prescription rights and to compare the opinions of chiropractors currently licensed to prescribe medication with those in the profession who are not.MethodsThis was a narrative review, consisting of a formal literature search and summary of included articles. Electronic databases searched included the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, and the Index to Chiropractic Literature. Inclusion criteria consisted of prospective studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals. Studies were required to contain data on chiropractors’ opinions toward medication prescription rights.ResultsOf 33 articles identified, a total of seven surveys were included in the review. Of these, there was a general split in opinion among chiropractors regarding the right to prescribe drugs in chiropractic practice. Those supportive of prescribing rights favoured a limited number of over-the-counter and/or prescription-based medications such as analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants. When questioned on full prescribing rights, however, chiropractors were generally opposed. In jurisdictions where chiropractors are currently licensed to prescribe from a limited formulary, such as in Switzerland, the majority perceived this right as an advantage for the profession. Moreover, continuing education in pharmacology was viewed as a necessary component of this privilege.ConclusionsBased on the literature to date there is a general split in chiropractors’ attitudes toward drug prescription rights. This split is most pronounced in countries where chiropractors are not licensed to prescribe medications. Notwithstanding, this is an important topic in chiropractic currently and warrants both further discussion and research to determine future directions and the implications of either pursuit or denial of prescription rights by chiropractors. Future surveys and/or qualitative studies of other chiropractors’ opinions toward gaining prescription privileges would be timely.