Community attitudes toward physiotherapy and other health professions

The present study was designed to assess community attitudes toward physiotherapy and five other health professions (osteopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy, and medicine). The study surveyed 100 people chosen from the Melbourne public on the basis of a stratified sampling procedure. In general, earlier findings were confirmed in that the community was found to be less than fully aware of the various functions of currently available health services. In addition, data were gathered on more specified issues including respondents' knowledge of their own and available insurance cover for physiotherapy; the effect of insurance cover on usage of physiotherapy; degree of awareness that a doctor's referral is no longer necessary before seeking physiotherapy; impressions concerning the relative amount of media coverage given to physiotherapy and other health professions; previous contact with, and degree of satisfaction with physiotherapy and other health professions; and respondents' likely preference among various professions for treatment of each of a wide variety of physical complaints. Overall, the results indicated that the health professions have a major task confronting them if they are to ensure that community attitudes are formulated on the basis of clear and accurate information concerning the total array of available health care.