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Potential of digitalization within physiotherapy: a comparative survey.
Katharina Estel1, Julian Scherer2, Heiko Dahl3
1Clinic for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Scharnhorststrasse 13, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
BMC Health Services Research
|April 14, 2022
Summary
Physiotherapists see potential in digitalization, but younger professionals worry about data security and pay. Addressing these concerns is key for digital transformation in physiotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Health Informatics
- Physiotherapy
Background:
- Global digitalization presents opportunities and challenges for physiotherapists.
- Limited understanding exists regarding physiotherapists' attitudes toward digitalization.
- This study investigates physiotherapists' views on digital tools and their implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze physiotherapists' attitudes toward digitalization.
- To determine the extent of digital tool implementation in daily physiotherapy practice.
- To assess factors influencing these attitudes, including age, workplace, and survey mode.
Main Methods:
- A 12-item survey was administered to voluntary physiotherapy course participants.
- Data collected via paper-based and online questionnaires between July 2018 and June 2019.
- Sub-analyses included age, gender, participation mode, and workplace setting.
Main Results:
- 488 physiotherapists participated; 50.4% found digitalization useful.
- Younger participants expressed greater concern over data security and remuneration.
- Outpatient sector physiotherapists anticipated greater relevance of digitalization compared to hospital-based peers.
- Online respondents demonstrated higher awareness of digital legal frameworks.
Conclusions:
- Most physiotherapists recognize the potential of digitalization in their field.
- Key concerns include data security, financial reimbursement, and legal knowledge gaps.
- Targeted interventions are needed to address these barriers.
- Future research should identify specific digital tools beneficial for physiotherapists.
