New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy

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New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy Editorial Committee — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +1300

The role and function of body communication in physiotherapy practice: A qualitative thematic synthesis

Clinton H. Good, Felicity A. S. Bright, Sarah Mooney — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +1300

Communication is essential to physiotherapy practice. While verbal communication has been a primary focus in research, less is known about body communication. Body communication refers to communication achieved by means other than words, such as touch, eye contact, prosody, and proxemics. This review aims to provide detailed knowledge of the roles and functions of body communication in physiotherapy practice and identify areas for future research. We undertook a systematic search and thematic synthesis of published qualitative literature in October 2022. Four databases were searched with results screened to identify articles providing insight into the roles and functions of body communication. Quality appraisal of included studies was completed. Thematic synthesis was used to generate findings. Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Four themes were constructed to reflect the roles and functions of body communication in physiotherapy practice: conveying the physiotherapist’s attention and interest; enabling patients to contribute to care; guiding physiotherapy intervention through bodily dialogue; and building the therapeutic relationship. The findings demonstrate how body communication shapes the therapeutic process and how sensitive and responsive body communication supports a more reciprocal and person-centred approach to care. Research is needed to obtain more in-depth and nuanced accounts of body communication to support the clinical application of findings.

Does physiotherapy research in South Korea match international best-practice osteoarthritis guidelines? A narrative review

Mi La Park, Nico Magni, Daniel W. O'Brien — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +1300

The aim of this study was to explore physiotherapy-based osteoarthritis (OA) research conducted in South Korea, with a focus on the utilisation of conservative management, and to assess its alignment with international clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus – accessed via EBSCOhost) and Google Scholar were searched to identify clinical articles and trials focused on research related to OA management in physiotherapy conducted in South Korea. A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria, with nine being randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one utilising a prospective design and one a quasi-experimental approach. These studies employed various interventions such as kinesiology tape (KT), electrotherapies, and exercise. None of the studies implemented education, self-management, and weight control as management. There is a discrepancy between research-based physiotherapy for OA management in South Korea and international CPGs. These findings may be explained by factors such as education, healthcare systems, and cultural differences.

Impact of digital screen use on health and wellbeing of children and adolescents: A narrative review

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +1300

As the world digitises, children and adolescents are increasingly using digital technologies. These devices offer benefits such as exposure to social contacts and support, potential learning opportunities and access to health promotion material. However, along with these benefits, emerging evidence is indicating that frequent, extended use of digital devices is associated with negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. There are many ways to use devices both for learning and recreation, so context of use is important when considering these impacts. As the pace of change unfolds, this narrative review provides an overview of the impacts of using digital technologies on the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents across eight areas: vision, hearing, obesity, pain, sleep, cognition, mental health, and social impacts. Key points summarise the current state of evidence with relating expert opinion on reducing the risk of harm, where indicated, with the aim to aid decision-making and risk intervention. Sources include global large-scale studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Physiotherapists, with a professional scope focusing on physical health, quality of life, health promotion and advocacy, are well positioned to support children and families, and to contribute to interventions aimed at reducing risk.

Physiotherapy students' perspectives of a blended learning approach through the COVID-19 pandemic years

Suzanne Belcher, Peter Larmer, Rory Christopherson, Kesava Kovanur Sampath — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +1300

The Waikato Institute of Technology launched an innovative approach in 2019 to deliver a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree. The programme utilised a blended-block learning andragogy of face-to-face (block-week) and online learning. At the end of the first 4-year cycle, it seemed pertinent to understand the students’ perspective of this approach, while recognising possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire was distributed to a sample of students (n = 70), with 44% completing the survey. Preference to continue with block-week learning was split: 32.2% of students wished to continue with the current approach, 32.2% preferred to discontinue and return to traditional campus teaching, and 35.6% were unsure. Those students who preferred to discontinue predominantly originated or moved to the Hamilton region for study. Students who preferred block-blended learning were often from a population that the programme was meant to serve, living in rural areas and/or having significant family/community responsibilities, meaning they were unable to move to the institute and would struggle to access the course in any other manner. To reduce fatigue and improve satisfaction, students also suggested mixing content delivery every week, engaging in 2–3 days of face-to-face sessions and 2 3 days online, moving away from block-learning yet retaining blended-learning. Most students believed the course was well positioned to manage the effects of COVID-19; however, they recognised practical skills learning and access to clinical placement experience was reduced. Future research could focus on exploring the benefits and barriers of online learning developed for physiotherapy-specific content.

Undergraduate physiotherapy students’ perspectives on optimising the curriculum for supported self-management education

Libby McConnell, Leigh Hale — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +1300

Supported self-management (SSM) assists development of the skills people living with long-term conditions require to manage their health and live well. Physiotherapy students should learn how to deliver SSM but how to facilitate optimal student learning of SSM is currently not known. This mixed methods study aimed to determine, from a student perspective, how to best teach undergraduate physiotherapists to optimise their learning of the knowledge and skills in delivering SSM. Final year physiotherapy students were invited to participate in a nominal group session (n = 17) and then three rounds of an e-Delphi survey. Round one (n = 33) elicited ideas and themes for subsequent rounds, while rounds two (n = 25) and three (n = 13) measured consensus on ideas for improving the current SSM curriculum. Consensus was reached that learning SSM should be frequent, interesting, explicit, and incorporated into all years of training. Practical opportunities were favoured over theoretical learning via lectures. Learning SSM was seen as an ongoing process, important in providing person-centred care and improving health outcomes. Increasing learning opportunities that provide students with clear knowledge of SSM and a chance to practise using these skills in a real-life setting should be incorporated into entry-level physiotherapy education.

Implementation of an orthopaedic triage service for osteoarthritis in the New Zealand health system: A retrospective audit

Jennifer A. Stilwell, Duncan Reid, Peter Larmer — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +1300

Orthopaedic triage services led by advanced physiotherapy practitioners (APPs) have been shown to be effective health care models in the management of osteoarthritis. Despite this, New Zealand health systems have only recently begun to implement and evaluate these models of care. The implementation of the community orthopaedic triage service (COTS) within the Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) was piloted to improve the patient journey through the health system by providing earlier assessment and referral to the most appropriate intervention. This retrospective audit analysed data collected from patients assessed in the COTS and orthopaedic outpatients between September 1 2020 to September 1 2021. Results show the COTS saw 49–52% of the volume of patients referred to orthopaedic outpatients. The mean (SD) wait time to be seen in the COTS was 37.3 (32.8) days compared to 157.7 (56.2) days in orthopaedics. Eighty per cent of patients referred to orthopaedics from the COTS were appropriate for first specialist appointment, with 65% being listed for surgery by an orthopaedic surgeon. Adoption of these pathways has the potential to facilitate earlier assessment and access to intervention, thus improving the musculoskeletal health of New Zealanders.

Vaping: A timely conversation

Sarah Mooney, Stuart L. Jones — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +1300