Journal article
Physiotherapy Research Priorities in Switzerland: Views of the Various Stakeholders.
- Nast I School of Health Professions, Institute of Physiotherapy, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.
- Tal A Health Division, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland.
- Schmid S Health Division, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland.
- Schoeb V Department of Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Rau B Department of Physiotherapy, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Barbero M Department of Business, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Manno, Switzerland.
- Kool J School of Health Professions, Institute of Physiotherapy, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.
- 2015-03-18
Published in:
- Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy. - 2016
Delphi technique
physiotherapy
policy
research priorities
Delphi Technique
Female
Focus Groups
Health Planning
Humans
Male
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Organizational Innovation
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Modalities
Policy Making
Qualitative Research
Switzerland
Total Quality Management
English
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. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1002/pri.1621
- PMID 25781577
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/93314
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