Health promotion knowledge, attitudes and practices of chartered physiotherapists in Ireland: A national survey

Background: A growing emphasis is being placed on the role of health promotion in tackling chronic conditions faced by the health services. This research study sought to investigate the health promotion knowledge, attitudes and practices of chartered physiotherapists in Ireland, as it has been suggested that physiotherapists are particularly well positioned to engage in health promotion strategies in the 21st century. Methods: An online self-administered questionnaire, which had been modified from a previously established tool, was emailed to 2753 registered members of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists on two occasions. 526 completed surveys were returned giving a response rate of 19.1%. Data was analysed using PASW Statistics 18. Results: Physiotherapists hold a traditional view of health promotion relating it primarily to the provision of information and advice to bring about individual behaviour change. Self reported knowledge of the wider determinants of health and key action areas of health promotion was low. Physiotherapists displayed positive attitudes to their role in health promotion but identified significant barriers to its implementation in the form of time constraints, lack of health promotion training and patient attitudes. Conclusions: Collaboration must take place between the disciplines of health promotion and physiotherapy to ensure that clarity in both roles and terminology is established. Interventions to improve health are complex. Pre- and post-registration physiotherapy education should be reviewed to ensure that physiotherapists have the knowledge base and skill set required to successfully engage in health promotion action.