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Developing and feasibility testing a digital platform aimed at enhancing primary care physiotherapists' ability to
Cecilie Langgård Jørgensen1, Søren Mose2, David Høyrup Christiansen3
1University Clinic for Interdisciplinary Orthopedic Pathways (UCOP), Elective Surgery Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Falkevej 1P, Silkeborg 8600, Denmark.
Objectives:
Physiotherapists play an important role in detecting serious pathologies. However, they express doubts about what to screen for, how to do it, and call for accessible information. The purpose of this study was to describe the development and feasibility testing of a Digital Learning Platform on serious pathology aimed at primary care physiotherapists.
Design:
The platform was developed and feasibility-tested following the Medical Research Council's framework for complex interventions. The feasibility study was conducted with a mixed-method convergent design, in which we collected data from Danish primary care physiotherapists via a questionnaire (N=24) and interviews (eight think-aloud interviews and six semi-structured). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data using thematic analysis, before merging the results for joint interpretation.
Results:
Two out of three physiotherapists found the Digital Learning Platform useful and acceptable. After using the platform, they reported feeling more aware of serious pathology, as well as more confident and secure in screening for serious pathologies. However, one in three physiotherapists did not use the platform. Experience, professional identity, habits, and lack of time appeared to be barriers to use. The physiotherapists also called for content that better reflects the clinical setting.
Conclusion:
Physiotherapists found the platform useful and acceptable, and the results indicate that it is feasible to implement the platform into physiotherapy practice. However, the identified barriers of time constraints and professional identity, along with the need for content that more closely reflects the clinical setting, should be addressed. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.
