Factors Determining the Current Use of Physiotherapy Assistants: Views on their future role in the South and West UK Region

Physiotherapy assistants form approximately 20% of the work force within physiotherapy departments and account for a large proportion of the delivery of physiotherapy care. There is great interest in developing the scope of practice of physiotherapy assistants and evidence that this is under way. Little is known about the factors determining use of physiotherapy assistants and their views on their future role. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the role of physiotherapy assistants was changing, identify the factors that affect the development of the physiotherapy assistants' role and determine the views of physiotherapy assistants and physiotherapists on the future work of physiotherapy assistants. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a stratified random sample of 18 physiotherapy assistants from the South and West Region and separately, with their 18 physiotherapy supervisors. The physiotherapy assistants worked in a range of settings – elderly care, paediatrics, outpatients and primary care. Analysis of the interviews showed that there was variation in scope of activities of physiotherapy assistants and in the level of supervision. Supervision was reduced primarily in particular specialty areas, such as elderly and primary care. Changes were primarily locally determined. A change or shortage of qualified staff was regarded as being instrumental in the development of practice. Training, levels of responsibility and supervision, and the development of generic workers were issues of concern for this changing workforce.     

在康复治疗学专业运动疗法方向教学中开设双语教学的设想

在康复治疗学专业中开展双语教学具有重要的意义，也是教学方法改革的必然趋势。作者通过分析在康复治疗学专业运动疗法方向教学中开展双语教学的必然趋势，探讨开展双语教学存在的问题和对策，以及对课程的选择和对教师与学生的具体要求，提出双语教学实施的具体方案。     

"以问题为基础"教学法在康复治疗学专业运动疗法方向教学中的应用分析

作者通过对“以问题为基础”（PBL）教学法与传统教学方法的比较，分析在康复治疗学专业教学中应用PBL教学法的必要性，并探讨对课程的选择以及对教师和学生的具体要求、实施PBL教学方法的具体方案及其应用意义。     

Physiotherapy involvement in non-invasive ventilation hospital services: a British Isles survey

The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of physiotherapists in the delivery of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) services in the British Isles. A postal questionnaire was sent to all senior physiotherapists in hospitals providing specialist respiratory medicine. The response rate was 88% (269/305). Physiotherapists were involved in managing patients using NIV in 212/233 hospitals that used NIV. The majority of physiotherapists, 97% (206/212), were involved in treating patients on NIV. Physiotherapists assessed patients for NIV in 68% (145/212) of hospitals and were involved in setting up patients on NIV in 46% (97/212) of hospitals. There were no major differences between countries, within the British Isles, in the level of involvement of Physiotherapists in the management of patients on NIV. Physiotherapists need to develop specialist skills with regard to assessment and setting up patients on NIV if they want to expand their role in the management of patients on NIV.     

Physiotherapy for tension-type headache: a controlled study

The role of non-pharmacological therapies in the preventive treatment of tension-type headache (TTH) is still an object of debate. The primary aim of this study was therefore to investigate the therapeutic effect of physiotherapy in properly classified patients with TTH in a controlled trial. Fifty patients with TTH, 26 with episodic, frequent (ETTH) and 24 with chronic TTH (CTTH) fulfilling the International Headache Society classification criteria were included in the study. After a 4-week run-in period, they were randomized to either an 8-week period of standardized physiotherapy (group 1) or to an 8-week observation period followed by an identical course of physiotherapy (group 2); after the physiotherapy all patients were followed for a 12-week follow-up period. We then evaluated the number of days with headache, severity and duration of the headache attacks, and drug consumption for symptomatic treatment before and after the course of physiotherapy. Forty-eight patients completed the study. The average number of days with headache per 4-week period was reduced from 16.3 days at baseline to 12.3 days in the last 4 weeks of treatment [from 14.5 days to 10.5 days (P < 0.001) in group 1 and from 18.1 days to 14.1 days (P < 0.001) in group 2]. Severity and duration of headache as well as drug consumption were unchanged throughout the study. Analysing the response to treatment separately in the various subgroups, we found that the number of responders was significantly higher among patients with CTTH vs. patients with ETTH (P < 0.002) and in females vs. males (P < 0.02). No differences were found between patients with and without disorder of pericranial muscles. We conclude that a standardized physiotherapy programme has a good therapeutic effect, albeit on a restricted group of patients.     

Current Physiotherapy Practice of New Referrals to a Regional Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Service

This paper reviews the physiotherapy practice and management of 85 cystic fibrosis patients referred to a Regional unit for comprehensive assessment. Following assessment, recommendations were made to the patients and referring units. Physiotherapy treatment was found to be sub-optimal in several areas. We suggest that, on the basis of our results, assessment/review at a Regional Cystic Fibrosis Centre would be beneficial to cystic fibrosis patients.