An investigation into medical students' knowledge and perception of physiotherapy services

This study aimed to determine final year medical students' knowledge and perception of physiotherapy services within South Australia, and to identify any need for further education about physiotherapy within the undergraduate medical course. A survey of medical students at two universities found that physiotherapists enjoyed a positive reputation, especially when compared with alternative health practitioners. Although general knowledge was high, medical students were largely unaware that physiotherapists work in occupational health settings and offer treatments for Parkinson's disease, incontinence and headaches. The medical students had received little formal education about physiotherapy throughout their undergraduate course and clinical experience had been their major source of information. The findings suggest that medical students need more information about physiotherapy services.