title: Behavior patterns of physical therapists in screening for loss of protective sensation in clients with diabetes.
abstract: Peripheral neuropathy is a common consequence of diabetes that often results in loss of protective sensation. Early identification of this loss is critical to minimize secondary complications. The authors' purpose was to assess the behavior patterns of physical therapists as to their opinions and behaviors related to sensory testing for individuals with diabetes. A questionnaire was sent to physical therapists across the United States with the following results: a high level of agreement concerning the benefits of sensory testing, but with a far less agreement as to the actual performance of sensory testing by those same physical therapists.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Related Professions , University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson , Mississippi.
authors.forename: Lisa G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Latham
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Lipscomb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States