Priorities in physiotherapy research: a scoping review

Cristina Jácome, Diogo Pires, Fernando Ribeiro, Nuno Cordeiro, Sara Souto-Miranda, Eduardo Cruz
Purpose:

Our aim was to review priorities for physiotherapy research, and to summarize the evidence into a global research agenda.

Methods:

We conducted a scoping review with searches in PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar up to March 2023 to gather research agendas either published as research articles or grey literature. Studies were included if they had physiotherapists, physiotherapy researchers, patients or policymakers that determined a research agenda or conducted a study on priority setting in physiotherapy research. Content analysis was performed by two independent reviewers to map research priorities and create a global research agenda.

Results:

Twenty-five records were included, most being original articles (n = 19), from high-income countries (n = 25). Nine studies established generic priorities for physiotherapy research, while the remaining were dedicated to physiotherapy specific fields. A total of 551 priorities were established between 2000 and 2023. Following the content analysis, 9 research priority categories were identified: 1) establish the (cost)effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions (n = 202 research questions); 2) research the optimal service delivery models, structures and processes of physiotherapy interventions (n = 86); 3) explore the best models of physiotherapy education, and professional development and quality (n = 63); 4) develop and study measurement instruments relevant to physiotherapy (n = 56); 5) conduct research to better understand mechanisms behind disability, physiotherapy treatments and patient classification systems (n = 52); 6) explore patients' needs, expectations, experience and contextual factors and how they influence treatment outcomes (n = 42); 7) search for prognostic outcomes and investigate responses to physiotherapy (n = 27); 8) explore and establish clinical decision-making strategies/tools (n = 21); and 9) investigate the added value of technology and big data for physiotherapy (n = 20). 

Conclusion(s):

This review synthesized the literature on physiotherapy research priorities and provided a global physiotherapy research agenda.

Implications:

These nine priority categories can guide future research in physiotherapy, addressing questions relevant for multiple stakeholders and countries.

Funding acknowledgements:
This work did not receive any funding.
Keywords:
Research agenda
Physiotherapy research
Priorities for physiotherapy
Primary topic:
Research methodology, knowledge translation and implementation science
Second topic:
Professional issues
Did this work require ethics approval?:
No
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

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