TY - JOUR
T1 - A national study of the availability and use of electrophysical agents by Australian physiotherapists
AU - Chipchase, L S
AU - Williams, M T
AU - Robertson, V J
PY - 2009/5
Y1 - 2009/5
N2 - Electrophysical agents (EPAs) are a core part of physiotherapy practice and entry level education. With the increase in the number of EPAs over time, their availability and use in contemporary physiotherapy practice is an important consideration when determining entry level curricula. Thus, the aim of the study was to ascertain the current availability and usage of EPAs in Australian physiotherapy practice. A purpose-designed questionnaire was mailed to all registered physiotherapists in Australia. A response rate of 27% was obtained (n=3,538). Nonresponder analyses indicated that the results were representative of the total population of Australian physiotherapists. Over 70% of respondents had access to ultrasound, cold packs/ice, heat packs, electrical stimulation for sensory stimulation, and interferential therapy. Two main groups of EPAs were used relatively frequently. The first group was used daily or monthly by 60% of respondents (ultrasound, hot packs, and cold packs/ice), and a second group (electromyographic and pressure biofeedback, interferential therapy, and electrical stimulation for sensory stimulation) was used on a daily or monthly basis by between 30% and 45% of the sample. A group of EPAs, including ultraviolet light, microwave, and shortwave diathermy, was not used by over 90% of the sample. The study has provided contemporary national data on EPA availability and use in Australia.
AB - Electrophysical agents (EPAs) are a core part of physiotherapy practice and entry level education. With the increase in the number of EPAs over time, their availability and use in contemporary physiotherapy practice is an important consideration when determining entry level curricula. Thus, the aim of the study was to ascertain the current availability and usage of EPAs in Australian physiotherapy practice. A purpose-designed questionnaire was mailed to all registered physiotherapists in Australia. A response rate of 27% was obtained (n=3,538). Nonresponder analyses indicated that the results were representative of the total population of Australian physiotherapists. Over 70% of respondents had access to ultrasound, cold packs/ice, heat packs, electrical stimulation for sensory stimulation, and interferential therapy. Two main groups of EPAs were used relatively frequently. The first group was used daily or monthly by 60% of respondents (ultrasound, hot packs, and cold packs/ice), and a second group (electromyographic and pressure biofeedback, interferential therapy, and electrical stimulation for sensory stimulation) was used on a daily or monthly basis by between 30% and 45% of the sample. A group of EPAs, including ultraviolet light, microwave, and shortwave diathermy, was not used by over 90% of the sample. The study has provided contemporary national data on EPA availability and use in Australia.
KW - Adult
KW - Australia
KW - Biofeedback, Psychology
KW - Cross-Sectional Studies
KW - Curriculum
KW - Electric Stimulation Therapy
KW - Electromyography
KW - Female
KW - Health Care Surveys
KW - Health Services Accessibility
KW - Humans
KW - Hyperthermia, Induced
KW - Hypothermia, Induced
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Physical Therapy Modalities
KW - Physical Therapy Specialty
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
KW - Time Factors
KW - Ultrasonic Therapy
KW - Journal Article
U2 - 10.1080/09593980902782611
DO - 10.1080/09593980902782611
M3 - Article
C2 - 19418365
SN - 0959-3985
VL - 25
SP - 279
EP - 296
JO - Physiotherapy Theory and Practice: an international journal of physical therapy
JF - Physiotherapy Theory and Practice: an international journal of physical therapy
IS - 4
ER -