Irina Nast1, Amir Tal2, Stefan Schmid2, Veronika Schoeb3,4, Barbara Rau3, Marco Barbero5, Jan Kool1. 1. School of Health Professions, Institute of Physiotherapy, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland. 2. Health Division, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland. 3. Department of Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland. 4. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. 5. Department of Business, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Manno, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Research priorities, defined by multiple stakeholders, can proximally facilitate the coordination of research projects and national and international cooperation and distally further improve the quality of physiotherapy practice. The aim of this study was therefore to establish physiotherapy research priorities in Switzerland considering multiple stakeholders' opinions. METHODS: A mixed methods design was chosen. For a qualitative identification of physiotherapy research topics, 18 focus group discussions and 23 semi-structured interviews/written commentaries were conducted. For the quantitative analysis, 420 participants prioritized research topics using a two-round Delphi questionnaire survey. The following stakeholder groups were surveyed in the German-speaking, French-speaking and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland: physiotherapy researchers, practitioners and educators, representatives of patient organizations, public health organizations, health insurers, physicians, nurses, occupational therapists and other health professionals, as well as physical educators. RESULTS: The top five overall physiotherapy research priorities identified were as follows: physiotherapy treatment, physiotherapy assessment and diagnosis, prevention, physiotherapist-patient interaction and physiotherapy professional education at the bachelor level. With regard to diagnostic groups, the highest priorities were placed on musculoskeletal disorders, neurology, orthopaedics, geriatrics and ergonomics/occupational health. Consensus was moderate to high, and only few differences between stakeholder groups were revealed. DISCUSSION: Research directly related to physiotherapy treatment is of highest priority. It should focus on diagnostic groups related to chronicity in anticipation of demographic changes. Multidisciplinary networks for research and practice, alongside sound coordination of research projects, should increase the impact of physiotherapy research. An accurate dissemination of research priorities, defined and supported by multiple stakeholder groups, might strengthen their impact on research and practice.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Research priorities, defined by multiple stakeholders, can proximally facilitate the coordination of research projects and national and international cooperation and distally further improve the quality of physiotherapy practice. The aim of this study was therefore to establish physiotherapy research priorities in Switzerland considering multiple stakeholders' opinions. METHODS: A mixed methods design was chosen. For a qualitative identification of physiotherapy research topics, 18 focus group discussions and 23 semi-structured interviews/written commentaries were conducted. For the quantitative analysis, 420 participants prioritized research topics using a two-round Delphi questionnaire survey. The following stakeholder groups were surveyed in the German-speaking, French-speaking and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland: physiotherapy researchers, practitioners and educators, representatives of patient organizations, public health organizations, health insurers, physicians, nurses, occupational therapists and other health professionals, as well as physical educators. RESULTS: The top five overall physiotherapy research priorities identified were as follows: physiotherapy treatment, physiotherapy assessment and diagnosis, prevention, physiotherapist-patient interaction and physiotherapy professional education at the bachelor level. With regard to diagnostic groups, the highest priorities were placed on musculoskeletal disorders, neurology, orthopaedics, geriatrics and ergonomics/occupational health. Consensus was moderate to high, and only few differences between stakeholder groups were revealed. DISCUSSION: Research directly related to physiotherapy treatment is of highest priority. It should focus on diagnostic groups related to chronicity in anticipation of demographic changes. Multidisciplinary networks for research and practice, alongside sound coordination of research projects, should increase the impact of physiotherapy research. An accurate dissemination of research priorities, defined and supported by multiple stakeholder groups, might strengthen their impact on research and practice.
Authors: Francesco Gilardi; Federica De Falco; Daniela Casasanta; Martina Andellini; Simone Gazzellini; Maurizio Petrarca; Andreina Morocutti; Donatella Lettori; Matteo Ritrovato; Enrico Castelli; Massimiliano Raponi; Nicola Magnavita; Salvatore Zaffina Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-05-17 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Victoria I Barbeau; Leen Madani; Abdulah Al Ameer; Elizabeth Tanjong Ghogomu; Deirdre Beecher; Monserrat Conde; Tracey E Howe; Sue Marcus; Richard Morley; Mona Nasser; Maureen Smith; Jo Thompson Coon; Vivian A Welch Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-09-19 Impact factor: 3.006