title: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Current Practices of Canadian Physiotherapists in Preventing and Managing Diabetes.
abstract: Purpose:To describe the knowledge, attitudes, and current practices of Canadian physiotherapists in preventing and managing diabetes.Methods:Members of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association were recruited by email to participate in a Web-based survey. The survey contained 40 items in four domains: demographics and education, attitudes and beliefs, current practices, and knowledge of diabetes. A descriptive analysis was completed for all the response variables from the survey.Results:A total of 401 physiotherapists from 10 provinces and 2 territories participated. Respondents were most confident in providing education about exercise and had decreasing confidence in providing education about managing secondary complications, weight management, blood sugar control, and nutrition, respectively. Only 32.4% of participants offered diabetes management counselling, citing lack of training. Knowledge was generally good, except for activity guidelines.Conclusions:A significant proportion of physiotherapists lack confidence in providing key aspects of care to patients with diabetes. Gaps in clinical practice and knowledge of activity guidelines were also observed. This study highlights the need to review entry-level physiotherapy training and to develop continuing educational opportunities in this area.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University (at time of study); Vestibular and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Waterloo.
authors.forename: Karly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doehring
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University (at time of study); Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Durno
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University (at time of study); Back on Track Physiotherapy & Sports Injury, Ottawa.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pakenham
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University (at time of study); St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton (at time of study); University Health Network, Toronto.
authors.forename: Bashir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Versi
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University (at time of study); School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
authors.forename: Vincent G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: DePaul
keywords: attitudes; diabetes mellitus; health knowledge; survey