The characteristics of Queensland private physiotherapy practitioners’ interprofessional interactions: a cross-sectional survey study
Jack A. Seaton A B E , Anne L. Jones A , Catherine L. Johnston B and Karen L. Francis C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
B College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
C School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
D College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, 2 Invermay Road, Launceston, Tas. 7248, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: jack.seaton@jcu.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 26(6) 500-506 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY20148
Submitted: 17 June 2020 Accepted: 9 October 2020 Published: 26 November 2020
Abstract
Effective interprofessional collaboration (IPC) contributes to superior patient outcomes, facilitates cost-efficient health care, and increases patient and practitioner satisfaction. However, there is concern that IPC may be difficult to implement in clinical settings that do not conform to formal team-based processes, such as mono-professional physiotherapy private practice facilities. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of private physiotherapy practitioners’ interprofessional interactions, including their experiences and perceptions regarding IPC. A custom developed cross-sectional online survey instrument was used to collect data from physiotherapists employed in private practice facilities in Queensland, Australia. In all, 49 (20% response rate) physiotherapists completed the survey. Only a small proportion (14%) indicated that their interprofessional interactions were a daily occurrence, and less than one-third of all respondents (31%) participated in formal, multi-professional face-to-face planned meetings. Most participants (76%) reported a moderate-to-high level of satisfaction regarding their interprofessional interactions. Despite low self-reported levels of interprofessional activity and other data indicating that IPC is necessary for holistic patient care, this study shows that physiotherapists were predominately satisfied when interacting with health practitioners from various professional backgrounds. Further research is required to inform the implementation of robust strategies that will support sustainable models of IPC in physiotherapy private practice.
Keywords: interprofessional collaboration, physical therapy, primary health care, private practice.
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