Factors influencing the use of outcome measures in knee osteoarthritis: A mixed method study of physiotherapists in Nigeria

• Published in: Physiotherapy theory and practice Vol. 35; no. 12; pp. 1259 - 1268
• Main Authors: Odole, Adesola C, Odunaiya, Nse A, Ojo, Joshua O, Akinpelu, Aderonke O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Ltd 02.12.2019
• Subjects: Adult; Arthritis; Best practice; Cross-Sectional Studies; Familiarity; Female; Humans; Knee; Male; Middle Aged; Mixed methods research; Motivation; Musculoskeletal diseases; Nigeria; Organizational structure; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee - rehabilitation; Outcome Assessment, Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Physical therapists; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physiotherapy; Standardization; Surveys and Questionnaires; Nigeria; outcome measures; Knee osteoarthritis; physiotherapists
• ISSN: 0959-3985; 1532-5040
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1471762

: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee constitutes a significant proportion of musculoskeletal disorders managed in physiotherapy clinics worldwide. Best practice guidelines in the management of OA ensure the use of outcome measures. : This study explored the factors influencing the use of outcome measures in management of patients with knee OA among physiotherapists in southwestern Nigeria. : Mixed method design was used that involved a cross-sectional survey of 77 purposively selected physiotherapists and a focus group discussion with another 6 physiotherapists. : Participants (48 males, 29 females) were aged 35.3 ± 7.3 years. Fifty-two (67.5%) participants reported the use of outcome measures in the treatment of the patients with knee OA. The perceived barriers reported were lack of time/heavy workload (55.9%); lack of standardization of outcome measures (45%); lack of motivation (36.4%); and nonavailability of outcome measures in the clinic (36.4%). Reported perceived facilitators include interest/need to track patient's progress and ethical practice (87.1%); familiarity with outcome measures (87.0%); and understanding of the benefits of using outcome measures (87.0%). : There is a need to establish good organizational structure focusing on the use of outcome measures in practice and development of a concessional toolkit of short and easily applicable instruments with user description.