Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40180379›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Insights into the provision of physical therapy services at public sector hospitals in Pakistan: an exploratory qualitative study.

Quratul Ain Muhammad Hanif, Nousheen Akber Pradhan, Waqas Hameed, Beenish Zafar, Bakhtawar M Hanif Khowaja

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Quratul Ain Muhammad HanifCommunity Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan quratulain.hanif22@alumni.aku.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-1851-685X
Nousheen Akber PradhanCommunity Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Waqas HameedCommunity Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Beenish ZafarKarachi Institute of Health Sciences, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Bakhtawar M Hanif KhowajaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8141-9203

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesAlthough physical therapy services are a part of the Essential Package of Health Services in Pakistan, they do not receive their due importance. This qualitative study aimed to explore the in-depth insights regarding the factors that influence the provision of physical therapy services in public sector hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan using the WHO's health systems framework.

designExploratory qualitative study. SETTING AND

participantsThree public sector hospitals located in Karachi, Pakistan were selected for this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 12 physical therapists working in the outpatient departments of the selected hospitals.

resultsFindings were categorised into six major themes within the health systems framework, shedding light on various factors influencing the quality of care provided to the patients. These encompass issues such as inappropriate facility infrastructure, limited staff availability and competency, challenges with equipment adequacy and functionality, insufficient financial support, low staff incentivisation and the absence of a regulatory council.

conclusionThe findings exhibited that the physical therapy services are constrained by various factors at the public sector hospitals in Pakistan. Improvement is recommended at various levels to increase the adequate staffing, financial support, provide the necessary equipment and ensure its functionality. The development of the regulatory council for physical therapy services is the need of the time to address the above solutions.

Indexed as

Hospitals, PublicPhysical Therapy ModalitiesQuality of Health CareHumansInterviews as TopicPakistanPhysical TherapistsQualitative ResearchDisabled PersonsHealth ServicesREHABILITATION MEDICINE

Identifiers

PMID40180379
PMCPMC11969620

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.