Ordering diagnostic imaging: a survey of ontario physiotherapists' opinions on an expanded scope of practice.
OBJECTIVE
To explore Ontario physiotherapists' opinions on their ability to order diagnostic imaging (DI).


METHODS
An online questionnaire was sent to all registered members of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Descriptive statistics were calculated using response frequencies. Practice characteristics were compared using χ(2) tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.


RESULTS
Of 1,574 respondents (21% response rate), 42% practised in orthopaedics and 53% in the public sector. Most physiotherapists were interested in ordering DI (72% MRI/diagnostic ultrasound, 78% X-rays/computed tomography scans). Respondents with an orthopaedic caseload of 50% or more (p<0.001) and those in the private sector (p<0.001) were more interested in ordering DI. Respondents preferred a DI course that combined face-to-face and Web-based components and one that was specific to their area of practice. Most respondents perceived minimal barriers to the uptake of ordering DI, and most agreed that support from other health care professionals would facilitate uptake.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of Ontario physiotherapists are interested in ordering DI. For successful implementation of a health care change, such as physiotherapists' ability to order DI, educational needs and barriers to and facilitators of the uptake of the authorized activity should be considered.
Rouge Valley Sports Injury and Wellness, Pickering ; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre-St. John's Rehab.
Jodie Ng Fuk
JN
Chong
Steeles Family Medicine Centre, Toronto Rehab.
Krista
K
De Luca
Twin Rinks Physiotherapy, Vancouver.
Sana
S
Goldan
CBI Physiotherapy, Centric Health.
Abdullah
A
Imam
Liveactive Sports Medicine, MVMT Clinic.
Boris
B
Li
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
Karl
K
Zabjek
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre-St. John's Rehab ; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
Anna
A
Chu
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
Euson
E
Yeung
diagnostic imaging; education; survey