Awareness of Physical Therapy Among General Practitioners in Hyderabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To find out the awareness of physical therapy services and practices among general practitioners in Hyderabad, Pakistan Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration: Different hospitals and private clinics of General Practitioners in Hyderabad during the months ofiuly 2013 to September 2013. Material and Methods: 100 General Practitioners were selected through convenience sampling. Both male and female General practitioners ( GPs) above the age of 25 years having a valid PMDC (Pakistan medical and Dental Council) registration were included in the study. A self-administered, closed ended questionnaire was used to collect the data. The responses of the participants were analyzed through descriptive statistics by using SPSS version 20. Results: Results revealed that GPs knowledge was inadequate regarding some conditions treated by physical therapists such as incontinence, headache, heart problems, ante and postnatal conditions and bum management as around 70% GPs thought that physical therapists have 'no role' in treatment of these conditions. However, 96°/0 GPs responded that physical therapists have major role in treating musculoskeletal conditions. More than 60% GPs thought that physical therapist cannot do plastering and suctioning effectively. However, more than 80% of GPs believed that physical therapists do electrotherapy, heat/cold and manual techniques effectively. Conclusion: The awareness of GPs is not sufficient as majority of them were unaware regarding attributes of physical therapists such as qualification and involvement of physical therapists in new and advanced research. Most of them thought that physical therapists have no role in treating incontinence, headache, heart problems, ante and postnatal conditions and burn management. It is recommended that there should be seminars, workshops and professional gatherings among GPs and physical therapists to enhance the knowledge of physical therapy.