Strengthening physiotherapy in Austria: A push for professional expertise

Austrian physiotherapists require additional training to better identify serious health issues and make clinically relevant decisions that benefit their patients. This is the conclusion of a recent study conducted by IMC Krems and published in the journal BMC Primary Care. Specifically, the ability to determine whether physiotherapy is indicated ("keep") or to refer patients to a physician ("refer") could be significantly enhanced through targeted education and training programs.

The findings highlight the need for focused measures to improve health care professionals' knowledge, particularly in managing serious pathologies.

Austria relies heavily on the expertise of its physiotherapists to maintain and enhance the population's health and quality of life. Highly trained professionals play a vital role, especially in rehabilitation following injuries and in the care of chronically ill patients.

The recent study led by Prof. Jessica Janssen and Associate Prof. Wolfgang Lackenbauer from the Institute of Therapy and Midwifery Sciences at IMC Krems gathered baseline data on the decision-making skills of physiotherapists for the first time—revealing significant room for improvement.

Clinical vignettes with red flags

The study surveyed 479 physiotherapists, asking them to decide whether fictitious patients, described in case scenarios ("clinical vignettes"), should receive continued physiotherapy ("keep") or be referred to a physician ("refer"). "Our focus was on identifying red flags in these fictional cases—warning signs of serious pathologies, explains Janssen, lead author of the study.

The findings showed a clear need for improvement in decision-making: in critical clinical vignettes, only 53.5% of participants made the correct decision, compared to 70.5% for musculoskeletal cases and nearly 80% for non-critical medical cases. Alarmingly, only two professionals (0.4%) correctly assessed all 12 cases presented in the questionnaire. These results underscore the necessity for more specific training in recognizing red flags, i.e., indicators of severe pathologies.

Training and collaboration

In line with this finding, more than half of the therapists surveyed expressed a desire for further training on serious pathologies masquerading as musculoskeletal complaints. "Our study clearly demonstrates both the potential and the willingness to professionalize physiotherapy in Austria. Targeted continuing education in clinical decision-making and red flag recognition should therefore be offered," explains Lackenbauer, second lead author of the study.

However, close communication and interprofessional collaboration between physiotherapists and physicians are essential to ensure optimal patient care. The study's results underscore the importance of investing in the education and training of physiotherapists.

With appropriate training and an increased emphasis on recognizing red flags, physiotherapists can further enhance patient care while alleviating the strain on the health care system. Future research initiatives could help develop tailored training programs to foster both clinical decision-making skills and interprofessional collaboration.

More information:
Jessie Janssen et al, The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology, BMC Primary Care (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02634-8

Provided by IMC Krems