The status of gait assessment among physiotherapists in the United Kingdom

Toro, B, Nester, CJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1688-320X and Farren, PC 2003, 'The status of gait assessment among physiotherapists in the United Kingdom' , Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 84 (12) , pp. 1878-1884.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how physiotherapists are trained in and use clinically orientated gait assessment tools and instrumented gait analysis, and to identify if a need exists for a standardized methodology. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: UK National Health Service. PARTICIPANTS: Physiotherapists working with a variety of patient groups in 210 randomly selected Health Care Trusts. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Amount of gait assessment training, frequency of gait laboratory use, types and frequency of standardized gait assessment tools used, and expressed need for a gait assessment tool in clinical practice. RESULTS: A total of 1826 (43.5%) physiotherapists responded. Management of abnormal gait constituted a major aspect of physiotherapy practice; yet, there was no systematic use of standardized gait assessment tools. Gait video images were typically collected and analyzed without the use of standardized protocols. Only 23.1% of all respondents had a patient assessed in a gait laboratory. Clinicians indicated that they need training in gait assessment (66.4%) and desire guidance at a national level. Exactly 91.8% of physiotherapists requested a new gait assessment tool that can be used easily and quickly within a busy schedule without compromising reliability and validity. CONCLUSIONS: Gait assessment plays a pivotal role for physiotherapists managing gait problems. The challenge for developers of gait assessment tools is to find a balance between the practicalities of use and scientific merit.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Subjects / Themes > R Medicine > R Medicine (General) Health and Wellbeing
Schools:	Schools > School of Environment and Life Sciences Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Health Sciences Research
Journal or Publication Title:	Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Publisher:	Elsevier
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	00039993
Depositing User:	H Kenna
Date Deposited:	08 Aug 2007 14:51
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2021 21:59
URI:	http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/198

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