This study aims to investigate the current state of geriatric/gerontological content focused PT training and clinical practices in World Confederation of Physiotherapy (WCPT) member nations, while also identifying the factors that influence geriatric/gerontological PT clinical services and education globally.
We conducted a global cross-sectional survey of 128 WCPT member nations associations. A 23-item authors-developed and pilot-tested questionnaire, translated into multiple languages, administered via Qualtrics was sent to the email addresses of each association listed on the WCPT website. The questionnaire included open-ended and yes or no questions about geriatric/gerontological education, training and clinical practice in each member country. The survey was open for 6 months, and more than 10 reminders were sent. Additional information regarding each country’s human development index(HDI), life expectancy and gross domestic product(GDP) were extracted from country’s official websites. Data was analysis in SPSS, using descriptive statistics and multivariate regression to estimate the factors that influence geriatric/gerontological PT clinical services and education globally.
Of the 128, 59 WCPT member countries responded, resulting in 46% response rate. Among those that responded, while 47.5%, and 28.8% reported that they included geriatric/gerontology modules in their entry-level or post graduate PT program respectively, while 35.6% and 15.3% reported having geriatric/gerontology clinical placement in their entry-level or clinical residency in their post graduate PT program respectively. Also, 35.6% had a geriatric/gerontological special interest group within their country's PT association. Additionally, physiotherapists were members of interdisciplinary geriatric/gerontological teams in Africa (80%), Asia Western Pacific (76.9%), Europe (68.4%), North America (66.7%), and South America (100%), but they can only lead the teams in a few countries - Africa (10%), Asia Western Pacific (30.8%), Europe (21.1%), North America (33.3%), and South America (0%).
Member countries with graduate-level geriatric/gerontological PT academic (OR = 15.00, p= 0.014) and clinical programs (OR = 12.00, p = 0.020), a national geriatric/gerontological PT interest group (OR = 19.83, p = 0.007), higher life expectancy (OR = 1.12, p = 0.016), higher HDI (OR = 22710.13, p 0.001), and higher GDP per capita (OR = 1.00, p = 0.008) had significantly higher odds of offering geriatric/gerontological PT services in public hospitals. Graduate-level geriatric/gerontological PT academic program (OR = 36.40, p = 0.026) and higher HDI (OR = exp. 11.92, p = 0.004) were significant predictors and accounted for 62% variance in the availability of geriatric/gerontological PT services.
Geriatric/gerontological PT education, and clinical practice are evolving, especially at the entry-level training across WCPT member states; however, extra effort is required to enhance postgraduate specialization to cater to the emerging aging population.
The comprehensive information from this study provides an opportunity for a conversation to develop a global geriatric/gerontological competency benchmark for WCPT member nations to adapt.
Education and Practice
Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy
