Observational studyBMC health services research2018
Current use of measurement instruments by physiotherapists working in Germany: a cross-sectional online survey.
Observational study in BMC health services research, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 27 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
27 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Distance-limited walk tests post-stroke: A systematic review of measurement properties.NeuroRehabilitation · 2021Pooled it
- Accuracy of visual estimation of shoulder abduction by expert physiotherapists: a comparative study using 3D motion capture.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026Article
- Assessment of Rotator Cuff External Rotation: Isometric vs. Isotonic Testing Modes.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2026Article
- Perceived facilitators and barriers to routine utilisation of standardised outcome measures among physiotherapists in Namibia.Ghana medical journal · 2025Article
- Association between grip and core muscle strength in people with axial spondyloarthritis and healthy controls.BMC rheumatology · 2025Article
- Identifying Design Requirements for an Interactive Physiotherapy Dashboard With Decision Support for Clinical Movement Analysis of Musicians With Musculoskeletal Problems: Qualitative User Research Study.JMIR human factors · 2025Article
- Feasibility and Concurrent Validity of Pediatric Performance-Based Postural Control Subtests Using a Pressure-Sensitive Exergaming Device: A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2025Article
- Utilisation of standardised outcomes measures by clinical Physiotherapists working in Namibia: a nationwide cross-sectional study.Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi · 2024Article
- Metrology in sEMG and movement analysis: the need for training new figures in clinical rehabilitation.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences · 2024Review
- Use of standardised outcome measures among physiotherapists in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa.The South African journal of physiotherapy · 2024Article
- Exploring knowledge, perception, and use of surface electromyography in physiotherapy post graduate trainees in Italy: a single center preliminary survey.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences · 2024Article
- Current use of patient-reported outcome measures by musculoskeletal physiotherapists in Portugal.Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation · 2024Article
- Barriers and Facilitators of Using Standardized Outcome Measures in Stroke Rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Practice Among Neurophysiotherapists.Risk management and healthcare policy · 2024Article
- The feasibility, facilitators, and barriers in the initial implementation phase of 'good life with osteoarthritis in Denmark' (GLA:D®) in Switzerland: a cross-sectional survey.BMC health services research · 2023Observational
- Evaluation of a blended learning approach on stratified care for physiotherapy bachelor students.BMC medical education · 2023Article
- Standardized tools for assessing balance and mobility in stroke clinical practice guidelines worldwide: A scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences · 2023Article
- Translation of surface electromyography to clinical and motor rehabilitation applications: The need for new clinical figures.Translational neuroscience · 2023Article
- A cross-sectional survey of consistent rehabilitation through long-term care insurance in Japan: a questionnaire survey.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2023Article
- Physiotherapeutic evaluation of patients with post COVID-19 condition: current use of measuring instruments by physiotherapists working in Austria and South Tyrol.Archives of physiotherapy · 2022Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe use of measurement instruments in physiotherapy has been recommended in clinical practice guidelines to improve evidence-based practice. The aims of the study were (a) to describe the current use of measurement instruments by physiotherapists working in Germany and (b) to investigate the facilitators and barriers to use measurement instruments.
methodsThis cross-sectional study used a nationwide online survey, which was accessible to all physiotherapists working in Germany.
resultsIn total, 522 adult physiotherapists working in Germany completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the respondents was 38 years, 63% were female, and 53% had >10 years of work experience. Thirty-one percent of the respondents used measurement instruments in ≥80% of their patients, and 26% used measurement instruments in ≤20%. Measurement instruments were used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes by 69% and 22% of respondents, respectively. The three most frequently reported measurement instruments were "goniometer" (n = 254), some kind of a "visual/numeric analogue scale" (n = 139), and the "manual examination of muscle-strength" (n = 54). Seven of the 13 most stated measurement instruments measure activities or participation. The most important facilitator was physiotherapists' positive attitudes towards measurement instruments. Two out of three respondents reported having sufficient knowledge and skills to apply measurement instruments in clinical practice. The most pronounced barriers were insufficient additional financial compensations and requiring extra time to document test scores. Seventy-eight percent of the respondents could imagine using an electronic device for a user-friendly patient health record system in clinical practice.
conclusionsThe limited use of measurement instruments reported by physiotherapists working in Germany appears to be due to organisational issues, in combination with a lack of knowledge and skills needed to apply the measurement instruments, rather than due to individual or managerial reasons. To support the use of measurement instruments, sufficient time resources and adequate financial compensation are required. Educational approaches should focus on imparting patient-centred and patient-reported outcomes to quantify activities and participation. Electronic patient health record systems have potential to facilitate the application of standardised measurement instruments if the barriers identified in this survey are addressed properly.
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