title: Identifying barriers and facilitators to participation in pressure ulcer prevention in allied healthcare professionals: a mixed methods evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the barriers and facilitators for allied health professional's participation in pressure ulcer prevention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed method cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single centre study in an acute university hospital trust.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five physiotherapists and four occupational therapists were recruited from the hospital trust. Therapists had been working in the National Health Service (NHS) for a minimum of one year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapist views and experiences were collated using an audio recorded focus group. This recording was analysed using constant comparison analysis. Secondary outcomes included assessment of attitudes and knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention using questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Key themes surrounding barriers to participation in pressure ulcer prevention included resources (staffing and equipment), education and professional boundaries. Fewer facilitators were described, with new training opportunities and communication being highlighted. Results from the questionnaires showed the therapists had a positive attitude towards pressure ulcer prevention with a median score of 81% (range 50 to 83%). However, there were gaps in knowledge with a median score of 69% (range 50 to 77%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The therapist reported several barriers to pressure ulcer prevention and few facilitators. The primary barriers were resources, equipment and education. Attitudes and knowledge in AHPs were comparable to data previously reported from experienced nursing staff.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. Electronic address: p.r.worsley@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Worsley
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Tatchbury Mount, Calmore, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clarkson
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Dan L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; NIHR CLAHRC Wessex, UK.
authors.forename: Lisette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schoonhoven
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D000072087:Occupational Therapists / Q000523:psychology*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000523:psychology*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024382:Professional Role
keywords: Allied health professionals; Attitudes; Focus group; Knowledge; Pressure ulcer prevention