Competence Level of Physiotherapists in Hospitals Using Outcome Measurements

Abstract

Outcome measurements (Oms) play an important role in physiotherapy by checking how patients improve, helping to decide on the best interventions and supporting EBP. This study looks at how physiotherapists in selected urban hospitals use standard OMs, focusing on what they know, can do and how they feel about them. By using a mixed-methods design, we asked 150 physiotherapists for their views and ran focus group discussions (FGDs). It turned out that 75% of the participants made use of Open Musical Forms in over half their assessments and 52% of them scored highly. More competent senior physiotherapists were found in the majority of roles (p<0.05). Obstacles were mainly training shortages and a lack of sufficient time, while support was found in workshops and institutional backing. These results demonstrate that additional training and policy support are needed to improve OM use by physiotherapists.