M. Conde1, G. Hendry1, J. Woodburn1, D.A. Skelton1
1Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Background: Falls are a serious public health issue, with foot- related falls risk factors having gained more attention from both research and clinical communities in recent years. Foot-related falls risk factors and specific foot and ankle exercise interventions are within the scope of Physiotherapy, yet little is known about the United Kingdom (UK) and Portugal-based (PT) physiotherapists´ self- perceived knowledge, confidence and practice of such interventions, or perceptions of patients’ falls prevention knowledge. Given that recent Portuguese guidance for physiotherapy in falls prevention was informed by British guidelines and practice, a comparison between nations appears timely and relevant.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of self-reported knowledge, confidence, and practices surrounding foot-specific falls risk and exercise for fall prevention in physiotherapists working in the UK and in Portugal. It also aimed to explore physiotherapists’ views about their participants´ falls prevention knowledge.
Methods: A self-report cross-sectional online survey was developed, and pilot tested in both nations. Registered physiotherapists were invited to participate through their professional associations, social media and snowballing.
Results: 682 physiotherapists participated in the survey (UK n= 229, PT n= 453). Most UK respondents correctly identified generic and foot-specific risk factors (≥70% for each item). More UK-based physiotherapists reported foot health as a risk factor for falls (73.5% vs 62.8 %, p=0.01), always prescribed ankle and foot exercises (42.6 % vs 33%, p=<0.001) and displayed higher levels of self-reported confidence surrounding exercise-based interventions (≈50%). Participants knowledge of falls risk factors was deemed to be higher by UK-based respondents (45.2% vs 37.1%, p=0.03).
Conclusion(s): UK and Portugal-based physiotherapists are aware of the contribution of foot-specific risk factors and exercise to falls prevention, with the former group being more confident in exercise-based interventions. Older patients´ knowledge of falls risk factors was reported to be higher by UK-based physiotherapists. However, both national groups perceived that their older patients' general knowledge of foot health and foot function was low.
Implications: This is first study to explore UK-based and Portugal-based physiotherapists´ knowledge and perceptions about feet, falls and exercise; as well as their views on patients´ knowledge in their respective nations. The findings can inform strategies to promote knowledge translation into clinical practice, particularly in Portugal where no available information on self-reported practice in falls prevention was previously available. Educational strategies aiming at promoting physiotherapists´ competence in foot health screening in older adults may be relevant in both countries.
Funding, acknowledgements: Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, European Social Funds and National Funds of MCTS (Individual PhD Grant Reference SFRH/BD/103445/2014).
Keywords: Accidental falls, Feet, Survey
Topic: Older people
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Glasgow Caledonian University
Committee: Health and Life Sciences Research Ethics Committee
Ethics number: HLS/PSWAHP/17/147
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
