A comparative survey of Nigerian physiotherapists’ familiarity with, knowledge of and utilisation of standard outcome measures: 10 years after initial survey

Abstract

BackgroundThe need for physiotherapists to use standardised outcome measures (SOMs) is recognised and recommended in clinical practice guidelines in many countries.AimTo evaluate changes in physiotherapy practice in Nigeria on the utilisation of SOMs and physiotherapists’ familiarity with and knowledge of SOMs over the past decade.MethodsA comparative cross-sectional survey of present data with 2006 data was undertaken. The existing validated questionnaire of 2006 was used to assess physiotherapists’ familiarity with, knowledge of and utilisation of 16 SOMs.ResultsThere was a noticeable change in familiarity with and utilisation of 16 SOMs in the current data and in knowledge. Between 52% and 90% of physiotherapists were not familiar with 14 SOMs in 2006, whereas 51.4% – 85.8% of physiotherapists were not familiar with 8 SOMs in 2016; 77% – 97% and 63.4% – 97.3% of physiotherapists were not utilising SOMs in the 2006 and 2016 data, respectively. The least utilised SOMs in 2006 were Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index, Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment and SF-36 Health Survey; in 2016, it was only the Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment. The Visual Analogue Scale and Gross Motor Function Measure remained the most utilised in both data. Duration of practice, age and sex were significant factors for the utilisation of and familiarity with SOMs.ConclusionThere was an improvement in the familiarity with, knowledge of and utilisation of SOMs over the past decade among Nigerian physiotherapists but the level of utilisation is unsatisfactory. Action is required if routine outcome measurement is to be achieved.Clinical ImplicationsUtilisation of SOMs is part of core standards of physiotherapy practice for effective management of patients. Although the utilisation of SOMs improved over the past 10 years, it is very low. Therefore, studies directed at finding factors responsible for low utilisation of SOMs among Nigerian physiotherapists are warranted.

Use of standardised outcome measures among physiotherapists in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa

“…The low systematic use of outcome measures among physiotherapists was also reported in a few studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Indeed, in 2006, Akinpelu et al reported only 40% use of outcome measures among Nigerian physiotherapists (Akinpelu & Eluchie 2006 ), which slightly improved 10 years later (in 2016) (Odole et al 2018 ). Odole et al also reported, about a dozen years later (in 2019), an increased proportion of use of outcome measures (67.5%) among physiotherapists working in the management of knee osteoarthritis (Odole et al 2019 ).…”

“…In Nigeria, Akinpelu and Eluchie ( 2006 ) found a lower than 40% use of outcome measures by physiotherapists whatever the field of intervention (Akinpelu & Eluchie 2006 ). The authors reassessed 10 years later (in 2016) a representative sample of the participants to their first study, and noticed a slight improvement in the familiarity and use of the outcome measures but with a persisting higher percentage of non-use (over 60%) (Odole et al 2018 ). However, later in 2019, Odole et al ( 2019 ) reported contrasting results with a 68% use of knee osteoarthritis outcome measures among Nigerian physiotherapists (Odole et al 2019 ).…”

Patients’ and physiotherapists’ perspectives on implementing a tailored stratified treatment approach for low back pain in Nigeria: a qualitative study

“…However, for implementation, the physiotherapists in our study described more challenges of implementing the approach than the patients. Two possibilities could explain this: first, a negative attitude towards change; as studies reported, clinicians do not always deliver therapy according to the standard they received during training 28 56 57. A second possibility could be that they understand the intricacies of use better than the patients 15.…”

Developing tailored intervention strategies for implementation of stratified care to low back pain with physiotherapists in Nigeria: a Delphi study

“…Further, there are some possible reasons to explain this level of response. Recent nationwide studies show a similar response ratio among healthcare workers especially when further expert criteria are required [ 75 – 77 ]. This may be due to the level of expertise, time and resource demands of online Delphi surveys [ 78 – 80 ].…”