Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41628953›Full record

Observational studyBMJ health & care informatics2026

Electronic health record use in physiotherapy: adoption, perceived relevance and utilisation patterns-a cross-sectional study.

Sara Luísa Vaz, Pedro Vargues de Aguiar, Carla Pereira, André Moreira-Rosário

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMJ health & care informatics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

4 authors.

Sara Luísa VazNOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Centre, CHRC, REAL, CCAL, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7014-8356
Pedro Vargues de AguiarNOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Centre, CHRC, REAL, CCAL, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
Carla PereiraNOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Centre, CHRC, REAL, CCAL, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
André Moreira-RosárioNOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal andre.rosario@nms.unl.pt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0320-1839

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThis study aims to assess electronic health record (EHR) use in physiotherapy, identify factors influencing its adoption and evaluate physiotherapists' perceptions of its relevance.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 138 licensed physiotherapists recruited through digital platforms. EHR utilisation was evaluated using the RSEFisio scale, a validated instrument designed to capture multiple dimensions of EHR use in physiotherapy. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied to examine usage patterns and contextual factors. The study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.

resultsThe EHR utilisation rate was 78.3%. Higher utilisation was significantly associated with adequate time allocated for documentation (p DISCUSSION: Despite the high level of EHR utilisation, physiotherapy documentation remains incomplete and driven by perceived clinical relevance. Utilisation improves with adequate time, standardised recording and interprofessional access. Inconsistent data quality undermines continuity of care and limits secondary uses, including artificial intelligence integration. Strengthening documentation is essential to improve clinical workflows and support data-driven decision-making in physiotherapy.

conclusionPhysiotherapists recognise the value of comprehensive documentation, but report limited time and incomplete records. The disconnect between awareness and practice highlights the need for practical, system-level strategies to support more consistent and effective EHR use in physiotherapy.

Indexed as

Electronic Health RecordsPhysical TherapistsPhysical Therapy ModalitiesAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelCross-Sectional StudiesDigital HealthDocumentationFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedDocumentationElectronic Health Records

Identifiers

PMID41628953
PMCPMC12863365

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.