Profiling pelvic health physiotherapy and scope of practice in public health in Australia: a cross-sectional national survey.

Background: Advanced scope physiotherapy roles are well established in musculoskeletal and emergency department settings and have been shown to reduce wait times and costs with high patient satisfaction. Advanced scope physiotherapy roles in pelvic health are still in the early stages of development...

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Publicado en:Australian & New Zealand Continence Journal Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 1 - 12
Autores principales: Brewster, Louise, MacDonald, Megan, Dunham, Fiona, Fitzgerald, Clare, Holmes, Michelle, Kenagy, Sarah, Schweitzer, Elyse, Simpson, Sally, Kendell, Michelle
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: CSIRO Publishing 2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Profiling pelvic health physiotherapy and scope of practice in public health in Australia: a cross-sectional national survey.
      aug:
        au:
          Brewster, Louise
          MacDonald, Megan
          Dunham, Fiona
          Fitzgerald, Clare
          Holmes, Michelle
          Kenagy, Sarah
          Schweitzer, Elyse
          Simpson, Sally
          Kendell, Michelle
        affil: Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.
      sug:
        subj:
          Pelvic Floor Disorders Rehabilitation
          Physical Therapy Methods
          Physical Therapists Education
          Scope of Practice
          Public Health Australia
          Human
          Australia
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Nonexperimental Studies
          Advanced Practice Registered Nursing
          Health Services Accessibility
          Professional Autonomy
          Clinical Competence
          Ambulatory Care Facilities
          Outpatient Service
          Interprofessional Relations
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Decision Making
          Statistical Significance
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
      ab: Background: Advanced scope physiotherapy roles are well established in musculoskeletal and emergency department settings and have been shown to reduce wait times and costs with high patient satisfaction. Advanced scope physiotherapy roles in pelvic health are still in the early stages of development and implementation and do not have a well-defined scope of practice. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate clinician and pelvic health service profiles, and the scope of practice of pelvic health physiotherapists and advanced scope physiotherapists working in the public health sector in Australia. Methods: Pelvic health physiotherapists were invited to complete an anonymous online survey between 13 September 2023 and 17 November 2023. Recruitment was via social media, the Australian Physiotherapy Association e-newsletter, and researcher networking. Responses were analysed descriptively. Results: Ninety-nine responses were obtained nationwide, with 20 respondents (21.5%) currently working as an advanced scope physiotherapist. Non-advanced scope and advanced scope physiotherapists all had considerable postgraduate training and clinical experience. Minimum qualifications, experience, and competency requirements of advanced scope physiotherapists varied. Advanced scope physiotherapists had more autonomy in decision making and/or action for elements that may be considered advanced practice compared to non-advanced scope physiotherapists; however, levels of autonomy for both groups was low. Conclusions: The results of this study support the need for a national competency framework and nationally recognised standards for advanced scope physiotherapy roles specific to pelvic health. The results may help inform the establishment of future pelvic health advanced scope physiotherapy roles where there is a recognised need. Advanced scope pelvic health physiotherapy roles are not as well established compared to other physiotherapy areas and do not have a well-defined scope of practice. This study found Australia's public health sector has a highly experienced and trained pelvic health physiotherapist workforce, yet advanced practice roles were limited, advanced scope pelvic health physiotherapists had low levels of autonomy, and standards were inconsistent. Results support the need for a national competency framework and recognised standards for advanced scope pelvic health physiotherapy.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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