Physiotherapists' preparedness for a national hip screening program in children with cerebral palsy: a survey study
Süleyman Kozlu1, Avni İlhan Bayhan2, Evren Akpınar2
1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kütahya Health Sciences University Faculty of Medicine, Kütahya, Türkiye.
Insights
Physiotherapists in Türkiye show basic knowledge of cerebral palsy (CP) hip dislocation but have significant gaps in screening and advanced treatments. Enhanced education and multidisciplinary screening programs are needed for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects 2-3 per 1000 live births globally.
- Hip dislocation is a common orthopedic complication in CP, occurring in 15-30% of cases.
- Effective management requires thorough physiotherapist (PT) understanding of hip dislocation in CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate PTs' awareness and knowledge of hip dislocation in children with CP.
- To identify specific knowledge gaps in diagnosis and treatment.
- To gather insights for improving educational and screening strategies.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 128 PTs in Türkiye.
- The survey included demographic, knowledge-based (8 questions), and opinion-based questions.
- Data focused on diagnosis, treatment, and clinical experience with hip dislocation/subluxation in CP.
Main Results:
- Most surveyed PTs work with pediatric patients.
- PTs demonstrated basic knowledge but significant gaps in screening programs and advanced treatment modalities.
- 3 out of 8 knowledge questions were answered incorrectly by PTs.
- A strong emphasis was placed on early diagnosis and treatment, with a call for more education.
Conclusions:
- PTs possess foundational knowledge but require enhanced training on CP hip dislocation.
- Developing multidisciplinary screening programs involving pediatric orthopedists, PM&R specialists, PTs, and FPs is recommended for Türkiye.
- Improved education and awareness are crucial for addressing knowledge deficits and optimizing care.
Abstract:
Objective: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a prevalent neurological disorder a!ecting 2-3 per 1000 live births globally. A common orthopedic consequence in CP is hip dislocation, with an incidence ranging from 15% to 30%. This study aimed to assess physiotherapists' (PTs) awareness and knowledge of hip dislocation in CP and identify knowledge gaps in this field. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to PT working in healthcare institutions across Türkiye. The online anonymous survey, hosted on Google Forms, received responses from 128 PTs. It included questions related to the diagnosis, treatment approaches, and clinical experience concerning hip dislocation/subluxation. The survey consisted of 3 types of questions: demographic questions, yes/no knowledge questions, and opinion-suggestion questions. Results: The majority of PTs participating in this study work with pediatric patients. Physiotherapists had basic knowledge about hip dislocation although we observed significant gaps in areas related to routine screening programs and advanced treatment modalities. PTs incorrectly answered 3 out of 8 knowledge-based questions. The majority emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment and expressed a need for more education and awareness programs. Conclusion: Physiotherapist provided important opinion-suggestion insights. The findings indicate a need for improved education and training for PT concerning hip dislocation in children with CP. We believe that the most appropriate screening method for Türkiye is to establish a screening program with a multidisciplinary structure formed between pediatric orthopedists, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (PM&R), PT, and family physicians (FPs). Level of Evidence: N/A.
