Physiotherapists' perceptions and use of medical imaging information in practice.
OBJECTIVE
Physiotherapists must take responsibility for all aspects of patient care. Information from medical imaging studies can influence clinical decisions. The purpose of the present study was to gather information about physiotherapists' perceptions and use of medical imaging information in clinical practice.


METHODS
A survey questionnaire was developed, validated and pilot tested. Subjects were randomly selected from a pool of licensed physiotherapists practising in four California Physical Therapy Association Districts. The survey was sent to 500 physiotherapists. Data gathered from the survey were transcribed to spreadsheets for analysis.


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty participants completed and returned the survey. Information from radiographs was most frequently available, followed by MRI and CT scan information, respectively. Respondents reported more use of information from reports than from images. Respondents also indicated that it was important to be able to review medical imaging information (70%), that they use medical imaging information in their practice when it is available (83.4%), that physiotherapists have the necessary knowledge and skills to use this type of information (77.3%), and that medical imaging should be covered in entry-level educational programmes (84.2%). Respondents additionally indicated that medical imaging information could be used to understand a patient's disease process (85%), improve communication about patient care (90%), improve diagnosis, prognosis and interventions for patients (81.6%), and identify contraindications to examination and interventions (87.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Physiotherapists have access to some medical imaging information and perceive that this information could be valuable in patient care; however, not all therapists are confident in their ability to interpret this information. Curricula in entry-level physiotherapist educational programmes should include information about medical imaging.
Little
Tamara
T
Department of Physical Therapy, Thomas J Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA. tlittle@pacific.edu
Lazaro
Rolando
R
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States