Abstract
Background
Integrating nutrition care into physiotherapy can address modifiable risk factors contributing to chronic diseases, providing comprehensive and effective patient care, and supporting a wellness-oriented approach to healthcare.
Objective
To investigate physiotherapists’ self-perceived confidence in their competence in nutrition care in Ireland.
Methods
Cross-sectional study using data from a validated online survey tool. Four constructs of competence in nutrition care were assessed: knowledge, skill, communication and counseling, and attitude. Open-ended responses were collected to gather opinions on nutrition knowledge requirements. Participants were chartered physiotherapists representing public and private workplaces across geographical settings in Ireland.
Results
447 physiotherapists completed the survey. Most were female (n = 364, 81%), in private practice (n = 136, 31%), and located in a city (n = 215, 48%) with a mean 17 years post-qualification experience. Participants’ self-perceived confidence in nutrition care competence was positive (mean score of 107.2/175). However, knowledge (mean score of 18.5/35) and skills (mean score of 27.2/55) related to nutrition care received lower ratings. Age and years of practice were positively associated with higher confidence in providing nutrition care. Most participants (n = 314, 71%) agreed that additional nutrition education is needed. Three overarching themes were identified regarding nutrition knowledge requirements: importance of providing nutrition advice, stated knowledge needs for nutrition education and training, and feasibility of nutrition care within physiotherapy practice.
Conclusions
Physiotherapists in Ireland have confidence in provision of nutrition care but rated their knowledge and skills in nutrition as relatively low. Nutrition knowledge and skill are essential for physiotherapist practice as they can significantly impact patients’ outcomes.
Integrating nutrition care into physiotherapy can address modifiable risk factors contributing to chronic diseases, providing comprehensive and effective patient care, and supporting a wellness-oriented approach to healthcare.
Objective
To investigate physiotherapists’ self-perceived confidence in their competence in nutrition care in Ireland.
Methods
Cross-sectional study using data from a validated online survey tool. Four constructs of competence in nutrition care were assessed: knowledge, skill, communication and counseling, and attitude. Open-ended responses were collected to gather opinions on nutrition knowledge requirements. Participants were chartered physiotherapists representing public and private workplaces across geographical settings in Ireland.
Results
447 physiotherapists completed the survey. Most were female (n = 364, 81%), in private practice (n = 136, 31%), and located in a city (n = 215, 48%) with a mean 17 years post-qualification experience. Participants’ self-perceived confidence in nutrition care competence was positive (mean score of 107.2/175). However, knowledge (mean score of 18.5/35) and skills (mean score of 27.2/55) related to nutrition care received lower ratings. Age and years of practice were positively associated with higher confidence in providing nutrition care. Most participants (n = 314, 71%) agreed that additional nutrition education is needed. Three overarching themes were identified regarding nutrition knowledge requirements: importance of providing nutrition advice, stated knowledge needs for nutrition education and training, and feasibility of nutrition care within physiotherapy practice.
Conclusions
Physiotherapists in Ireland have confidence in provision of nutrition care but rated their knowledge and skills in nutrition as relatively low. Nutrition knowledge and skill are essential for physiotherapist practice as they can significantly impact patients’ outcomes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-10 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Physiotherapy Theory and Practice |
| Early online date | 4 Aug 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 30 Nov 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Funding
The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
-
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Keywords
- Physiotherapists
- chronic disease
- nutrition education
- nutrition communication
- nutrition counselling
- nutrition counseling
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