Assessing Knowledge of Saudi Physical Therapists in Managing Musculoskeletal Conditions
Purpose/Hypothesis: Physical therapists in Saudi Arabia increasingly provide treatment to patients with musculoskeletal conditions. There is no evidence to determine if physical therapists have the requisite knowledge necessary to manage musculoskeletal conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe knowledge of physical therapists in Saudi Arabia in managing musculoskeletal conditions compared to other healthcare professionals. We hypothesized that physical therapists will have better musculoskeletal knowledge compared to primary care physicians. Also, we hypothesized that physical therapists will have musculoskeletal knowledge comparable to orthopedic specialist.
Number of Subjects: A total of 726 healthcare professional were approached, and 80 were excluded because of incomplete or false data. The remaining number of participants 646.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study where healthcare professionals and health sciences students were randomly selected from various regions and universities in Saudi Arabia.To be included, the participant had to be a student of physical therapy or medicine in Saudi Arabia, or a healthcare professional with a license to practice physical therapy or medicine in Saudi Arabia. A standardized and validated examination was used to test musculoskeletal knowledge. The original examination contained 25 questions, and was delivered in a short answer format. However, in this study, we converted the original examination into multiple choice questions to improve objectivity and to ease scoring. The conversion to multiple choice questions was developed and reviewed by 2 physical therapists with orthopedic certificate specialty. The 25 multiple choice questions were entered into an electronic examination platform. Participants were invited via email and social media to participate.
Results: Individuals who hold doctor of physical therapy (59%), master of physical therapy (55%), or philosophy in physical therapy (58%) had scores better than the scores primary care physicians (52%). However, orthopedic specialists (87%) and physiatrists (62%) scored higher than physical therapists. Medical interns (67%) scored better than physical therapy interns (42%). Medical students (50%) scored better than physical therapy students (45%).
Conclusions: Musculoskeletal knowledge among physical therapists with post graduate degrees is higher than that of primary care physicians in Saudi Arabia. Orthopedic specialists had the highest score in musculoskeletal knowledge among all healthcare professionals.
Clinical Relevance: Physical therapists with post professional degrees may be utilized to provide direct access care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions in Saudi Arabia