The status of gait assessment among physiotherapists in the United Kingdom.

Toro, B; Nester, CJ; Farren, PC

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.

Citation

Toro, B., Nester, C., & Farren, P. (2003). The status of gait assessment among physiotherapists in the United Kingdom. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 84, 1878--1884. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-9993%2803%2900482-9

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2003
• Deposit Date: Jul 4, 2023
• Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil
• Print ISSN: 0003-9993
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 84
• Pages: 1878--1884
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-9993%2803%2900482-9
• Keywords: Adult, Aged, Clinical Competence, Educational Status, Female, Gait, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Physical Therapy Modalities, Surveys and Questionnaires, United Kingdom, Videotape Recording
• Publisher URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14669198