Clinical Competency in Managing Malnutrition-Sarcopenia Syndrome among Physical Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Irina Seleznev, Netanel Levi, Kayla Ganchrow, Yfat Naan, Michal Elboim - Gabyzon, Roy Netzer
Purpose:

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical competency of PTs in managing MSS by assessing their knowledge, screening and treatment skills, attitudes and beliefs, and interprofessional collaboration. 

Methods:

An anonymous nationwide online survey was conducted from January to August 2024 using Qualtrics. Eligible participants were certified PTs in Israel with at least one year of clinical experience. The survey included demographic questions, 16 items assessing knowledge in sarcopenia, malnutrition, and MSS, 5 multiple-choice questions on screening and treatment skills, 6 Likert-scale statements on attitudes and beliefs towards MSS care, and an evaluation of MSS interprofessional collaboration. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficients, and Wilcoxon Two-Sample Tests


Results:

There were 337 PT respondents, with 97% educated in Israel, a mean age of 40.9 ± 10.6 years, and an average of 14.1 ± 11.4 years of experience. The overall MSS knowledge score was moderate )69.6 ± 13.3/100(. Knowledge scores for sarcopenia and malnutrition were 66.8 ± 19.7/100 and 71.4 ± 14.7/100, respectively.  About 52% were familiar with MSS, primarily through undergraduate studies (45.6%) and academic articles (23.1%), though familiarity with specific diagnostic guidelines was low (EWGSOP2: 3.6%, GLIM: 0.6%). Screening and treatment skills were generally low (30.7 ± 19.9/100). Attitudes and beliefs toward MSS management were moderately favorable (18.0 ± 3.4, Scale: 6 -30). Most PTs felt responsible for sarcopenia assessment and treatment, but only 9.2% felt accountable for malnutrition management, delegating this task to dieticians. Interprofessional collaboration occurred in 59.4% of sarcopenia cases, mainly with dieticians (44.2%), whereas collaboration in malnutrition care was limited (2.13 ± 1.0, Scale: 1 - 4). PTs familiar with MSS demonstrated higher knowledge scores, better skills, more positive attitudes and beliefs, and greater interprofessional collaboration compared to those without prior familiarity (all p  0.05).

Conclusion(s):

This study reveals significant gaps in the clinical competency of Israeli PTs in MSS management. While PTs demonstrated moderate knowledge and positive attitudes and beliefs toward MSS care, deficiencies were evident in clinical skills and interprofessional collaboration, especially in malnutrition care. 

Implications:

Integrating MSS content into PT curricula and continuing professional development is necessary to enhance competencies. By equipping PTs with necessary tools, clarifying roles, and promoting interprofessional collaboration, MSS management can be optimized, leading to better patient outcomes. Educational institutions, professional bodies, and healthcare organizations should prioritize these initiatives to ensure PTs are prepared to meet the growing needs of patients with MSS.

Funding acknowledgements:
This work was unfunded.
Keywords:
Malnutrition-Sarcopenia Syndrome
Physical Therapists
Clinical Competency
Primary topic:
Health promotion and wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Second topic:
Education
Third topic:
Education: clinical
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee at the Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, University of Haifa
Provide the ethics approval number:
Approval number 141/23
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

Back to the listing