Views of chartered physiotherapists on the psychological content of their practice: a follow-up survey in the UK.
OBJECTIVE
To assess, on a national level, the views of chartered physiotherapists with regard to the psychological content of physiotherapy practice.


METHODS
A postal survey to a national list of sport injury and physiotherapy clinics was employed.


METHODS
A total of 361 responses were included in the descriptive statistical and qualitative analyses.


METHODS
The Physiotherapist and Sport Psychology Questionnaire (PSPQ).


RESULTS
On average, physiotherapists felt that athletes were psychologically affected 83% of the time when injured. Key psychological characteristics were also identified in athletes who cope/do not cope successfully with their injuries. Physiotherapists reported using psychological techniques in their work and expressed the need for further training in the field. Only 24.1% of the physiotherapists stated having accesses to accredited sport psychologists.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that UK physiotherapists possess practical experiences and good awareness for psychological aspects of injuries and acknowledge the importance of treating a range of psychological conditions.
Arvinen-Barrow
Monna
M
Sport Psychology Dept., University of Northampton, UK. monna.arvinen-barrow@northampton.ac.uk
Hemmings
Brian
B
Weigand
Daniel
D
Becker
Caryl
C
Booth
Lynn
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom