Use of Clinical Anatomy Resources by Musculoskeletal Outpatient Physiotherapists in Australian Public Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

To investigate how musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapists in public hospitals interact with and perceive clinical anatomy resources in the workplace.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study used a postal survey sent to musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapists in 64 Australian public hospitals. Survey questions examined demographics, qualifications, experience, types of resources used, whether resources meet requirements, and what improvements could be made to current resources.

RESULTS

A total of 193 physiotherapists responded (75% response rate; 60% female), of whom 49% were age 35 years or younger; 67% had only an undergraduate qualification, and 37% had practised for 5 years or less. More experienced physiotherapists used resources significantly less frequently ([odds ratio]=1.35; 95% CI, 1.17-1.57), and we found no significant associations between preference for online versus printed resources and age, sex, qualifications, or experience. Trends included less experienced physiotherapists identifying the absence of online access as a barrier to resource use and provision of improved online facilities as necessary to improve access to clinical anatomy resources.

CONCLUSION

RESULTS indicate distinct trends in physiotherapists' use of clinical anatomy resources, including a desire for improved online resource access on the part of less experienced physiotherapists. The findings are relevant to hospital outpatient clinics, particularly those that employ less experienced physiotherapists.