An international core capability framework for physiotherapists delivering telephone-based care

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Allied Health
• Telehealth

Background:

• Telephone-based care is an emerging modality in physiotherapy.
• Defining essential capabilities is crucial for quality remote service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a consensus-based framework of core capabilities for physiotherapists providing telephone-based care.
• To identify essential skills for effective remote physiotherapy consultations.

Main Methods:

• A three-round modified e-Delphi survey was employed.
• An international expert panel (n=71) evaluated a draft framework of 39 capabilities.
• Consensus was defined as 75% of panelists rating a capability as essential (≥7/10).

Main Results:

• A final framework of 44 core capabilities was established across six domains: compliance, patient privacy and confidentiality, patient safety, telehealth delivery, assessment and diagnosis, and care planning and management.
• The Delphi process achieved high participant retention across rounds.
• Specific domain breakdowns include: compliance (7), privacy (4), safety (7), telehealth delivery (9), assessment (7), and care planning (10).

Conclusions:

• The developed framework outlines essential capabilities for physiotherapists delivering telephone-based care.
• This resource can inform physiotherapy curricula and professional development in telehealth.
• It provides guidance for clinicians providing remote physiotherapy services.