Minimum standards of clinical practice for physiotherapists working in critical care settings in Australia and New Zealand: A modified Delphi technique.
OBJECTIVE
Achieving competency in critical care in entry-level physiotherapy courses across Australia and New Zealand is not essential, and accredited training for qualified physiotherapists working in critical care units is lacking. As a result, practice standards and training may vary. The objective was to establish consensus-based minimum clinical practice standards for physiotherapists working in critical care settings in Australia and New Zealand.


METHODS
A modified Delphi technique, which consisted of three rounds of questionnaires, was used to obtain consensus on items.


METHODS
Australian and New Zealand critical care settings.


METHODS
A panel (n = 61) was invited from a pool of eligible physiotherapists throughout Australia and New Zealand (n = 93). Eligibility criteria were defined a-priori on the basis of possession of expertise and experience in the practice and teaching of critical care physiotherapy clinical skills.


METHODS
Questionnaires were disseminated electronically (either via email, or SurveyMonkey®). Items were designated by participants as being 'Essential/Unsure/Not Essential'. Consensus for inclusion was achieved when items were ranked 'Essential' by more than 70% of participants.


RESULTS
Fifty physiotherapists consented and participated in the initial Delphi round, of whom 45 (90%) completed all rounds. Consensus was reached on 199 (89%) items. The panel agreed that 132 (58%) items were 'Essential' items for inclusion in the final framework.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to develop a consensus framework of minimum standards of practice for physiotherapists working in critical care. The clinical utility of this framework now requires assessment.
a Department of Physiotherapy , Western Health , Melbourne , Victoria , Australia.
Elizabeth H
EH
Skinner
b Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital , Physiotherapy , Brisbane , Queensland , Australia.
Peter
P
Thomas
c AUT University , School of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies , Auckland , New Zealand.
Julie C
JC
Reeve
d University of Notre Dame Australia , Physiotherapy , Fremantle , Western Australia , Australia.
Shane
S
Patman
D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D032921:Consensus; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009520:New Zealand; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000592:standards*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D059039:Standard of Care / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D057188:Workflow
Critical care; Delphi technique; education; physiotherapy; professional competence