[Do organizational structures and factors influence the outcome of physiotherapy--a questionnaire survey related to whiplash-associated disorders].
BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of physiotherapy in patients with whiplash injuries of the cervical spine is a subject of critical discussion. Besides the inadequate situation with regard to the medical data available and the financial cuts in drug prescription, organizational factors and structures are assumed to be factors that have an influence on the effectiveness of physiotherapy.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate data on training, patient population, communication, prescription activity and therapies of physiotherapists.


METHODS
In a survey of 213 physiotherapists in the City of Ulm, data were collected with the aid of questionnaires related to "therapy of whiplash-associated disorders".


RESULTS
The results show deficits in the theoretical knowledge of physiotherapists, in the exchange of information and in therapy management. The survey further revealed that 22% of the patients decide themselves which therapy they will undergo. One can assume that these factors have a detrimental effect on the effectiveness of conservative therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
An optimization of the organizational structures is thus urgently required and constitutes the only possibility, in the short to medium term, of improving the effectiveness of physiotherapy in patients with whiplash injuries of the cervical spine.
Kramer
M
M
Abteilung Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universität Ulm.
Schneider
F
F
Medwed
T
T
Strobel
P
P
Scheich
M
M
Kinzl
L
L
Hartwig
E
E
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*