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Pediatric Physical Therapists' Use of the Congenital Muscular Torticollis Clinical Practice Guidelines: A Qualitative
Kim Nixon-Cave1, Sandra Kaplan, Robin Dole
1Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Nixon-Cave), Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science (Dr Kaplan), Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey; School of Human Service Professions and Institute for Physical Therapy Education (Dr Dole), Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania; Chatham University (Dr Schreiber), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Insights
Pediatric physical therapists found the Congenital Muscular Torticollis Clinical Practice Guideline (CMT CPG) beneficial for practice. Enhancements could improve its structure and content accessibility for clinicians.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Knowledge Translation
Background:
- Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) management requires evidence-based practices.
- Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) aim to standardize and improve patient care.
- Understanding clinician perceptions is crucial for CPG implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine pediatric physical therapists' perceptions of the 2013 Congenital Muscular Torticollis Clinical Practice Guideline (CMT CPG).
- To identify facilitators and barriers to implementing the CMT CPG in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted.
- Thirteen pediatric physical therapists from diverse settings participated.
- Interviews explored guideline influence, implementation factors, and knowledge translation.
Main Results:
- Positive perceptions included the guideline's flow charts, synthesized evidence, and validated approaches.
- Negative perceptions cited the guideline's length and lack of coverage for non-evidence-based approaches.
- Key themes: evidence for practice, clinician education, and CPG structure.
Conclusions:
- The CMT CPG offers benefits to pediatric physical therapists.
- Recommendations are provided for future CPG enhancement and development.
Purpose:
This study is a follow-up to the quantitative survey to examine the perceptions of pediatric physical therapists (PTs) on the application of the 2013 Congenital Muscular Torticollis Clinical Practice Guideline (CMT CPG).
Method:
Qualitative semi-structured telephone interviews were completed. Interview questions focused on how the guidelines influenced practice, facilitators and barriers to implementation, and knowledge translation activities.
Results:
Thirteen pediatric PTs from a variety of practice settings participated. Positive perceptions about the CMT CPG included the use of flow charts, synthesized literature in one place, and validation of examination and intervention approaches. Negative perceptions included its length and that approaches without published evidence were not addressed. Three major themes were identified: knowledge and evidence for practice, education of clinicians, and the CPG structure and components that influenced practice.
Conclusions:
The CMT CPG provided a number of benefits. Recommendations for future enhancement and development are provided.
