Elizabeth H Skinner1, Peter Thomas2, Julie C Reeve3, Shane Patman4. 1. a Department of Physiotherapy , Western Health , Melbourne , Victoria , Australia. 2. b Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital , Physiotherapy , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia. 3. c AUT University , School of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies , Auckland , New Zealand. 4. d University of Notre Dame Australia , Physiotherapy , Fremantle , Western Australia , Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Achieving competency in critical care in entry-level physiotherapy courses across Australia and New Zealand is not essential, and accredited training for qualified physiotherapists working in critical care units is lacking. As a result, practice standards and training may vary. The objective was to establish consensus-based minimum clinical practice standards for physiotherapists working in critical care settings in Australia and New Zealand. DESIGN: A modified Delphi technique, which consisted of three rounds of questionnaires, was used to obtain consensus on items. SETTING: Australian and New Zealand critical care settings. PARTICIPANTS: A panel (n = 61) was invited from a pool of eligible physiotherapists throughout Australia and New Zealand (n = 93). Eligibility criteria were defined a-priori on the basis of possession of expertise and experience in the practice and teaching of critical care physiotherapy clinical skills. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Questionnaires were disseminated electronically (either via email, or SurveyMonkey®). Items were designated by participants as being 'Essential/Unsure/Not Essential'. Consensus for inclusion was achieved when items were ranked 'Essential' by more than 70% of participants. RESULTS: Fifty physiotherapists consented and participated in the initial Delphi round, of whom 45 (90%) completed all rounds. Consensus was reached on 199 (89%) items. The panel agreed that 132 (58%) items were 'Essential' items for inclusion in the final framework. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to develop a consensus framework of minimum standards of practice for physiotherapists working in critical care. The clinical utility of this framework now requires assessment.
OBJECTIVE: Achieving competency in critical care in entry-level physiotherapy courses across Australia and New Zealand is not essential, and accredited training for qualified physiotherapists working in critical care units is lacking. As a result, practice standards and training may vary. The objective was to establish consensus-based minimum clinical practice standards for physiotherapists working in critical care settings in Australia and New Zealand. DESIGN: A modified Delphi technique, which consisted of three rounds of questionnaires, was used to obtain consensus on items. SETTING: Australian and New Zealand critical care settings. PARTICIPANTS: A panel (n = 61) was invited from a pool of eligible physiotherapists throughout Australia and New Zealand (n = 93). Eligibility criteria were defined a-priori on the basis of possession of expertise and experience in the practice and teaching of critical care physiotherapy clinical skills. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Questionnaires were disseminated electronically (either via email, or SurveyMonkey®). Items were designated by participants as being 'Essential/Unsure/Not Essential'. Consensus for inclusion was achieved when items were ranked 'Essential' by more than 70% of participants. RESULTS: Fifty physiotherapists consented and participated in the initial Delphi round, of whom 45 (90%) completed all rounds. Consensus was reached on 199 (89%) items. The panel agreed that 132 (58%) items were 'Essential' items for inclusion in the final framework. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to develop a consensus framework of minimum standards of practice for physiotherapists working in critical care. The clinical utility of this framework now requires assessment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Critical care; Delphi technique; education; physiotherapy; professional competence