title: Physiotherapy involvement in non-invasive ventilation hospital services: a British Isles survey.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of physiotherapists in the delivery of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) services in the British Isles. A postal questionnaire was sent to all senior physiotherapists in hospitals providing specialist respiratory medicine. The response rate was 88% (269/305). Physiotherapists were involved in managing patients using NIV in 212/233 hospitals that used NIV. The majority of physiotherapists, 97% (206/212), were involved in treating patients on NIV. Physiotherapists assessed patients for NIV in 68% (145/212) of hospitals and were involved in setting up patients on NIV in 46% (97/212) of hospitals. There were no major differences between countries, within the British Isles, in the level of involvement of Physiotherapists in the management of patients on NIV. Physiotherapists need to develop specialist skills with regard to assessment and setting up patients on NIV if they want to expand their role in the management of patients on NIV.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Elborn
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Piper
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006113:United Kingdom; D015300:Ventilator Weaning