AWARNESS, PRECEPTION AND BELIEFS ABOUT PHYSICAL THERAPY AMONG PAKISTANI PHYSICIANS

Abstract

Health professionals play a fundamental role in ensuring that the public receives a high-quality
and better healthcare system. They provide essential health-promoting, disease-prevention and
healthcare services to individuals, their families and their communities.
Objective: To determine the level of awareness, perception and beliefs regarding physical
therapy held by Pakistani physicians.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among 191 physicians. The self-
administrated questionnaire was used and it consisted of three parts: demographic data sheet,
knowledge and perception about physical therapy.
Results: The mean age of physicians was 33.52±6.494 and the minimum age limit for the
physicians was 25 years and the maximum limit was 45 years. There were about 42.9% female
and 57.1% male physicians. In the current study, 45% attended lectures about physical therapy,
and 51.3% received exceptional training on cases that benefit from physiotherapy.
Conclusion: There is moderate awareness, perception and beliefs about physical therapy and a
significant association between physician awareness and patient referral rate to physical therapy.