Manchester Metropolitan University Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care Manchester, Brooks Building, Bonsall Street, M15 6GX Manchester, United Kingdom.
Physiotherapy. 2024 Sep;124:180-187. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2024.06.001. Epub 2024 Jun 8.
Physiotherapy non-medical prescribing (NMP) is a contemporary development whereby physiotherapists can prescribe medications within their scope of practice. Despite institutional and professional support for its implementation, data regarding physiotherapists' views and experiences of NMP is limited.
To explore the views and experiences of NMP for UK prescribing physiotherapists.
Cross-sectional study, using an anonymous, online survey.
Recruitment involved non-probability sampling targeting UK physiotherapists with a NMP qualification. Data was gathered about the role, scope, and activity of prescribing physiotherapists via closed and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics and inductive content analysis were undertaken.
Of the 552 respondents, most worked in FCP roles (122/552, 22%) and 82% (450/552) prescribed medication. NSAIDs were the most prescribed drug class (267/450, 59%). Perceived benefits were enhanced patient care, reduced burden on other prescribers, and improved medication access. Challenges included restrictions on prescribing or deprescribing controlled drugs (CDs), limited scope of practice, and inadequate CPD. Themes identified to improve physiotherapy NMP were increasing the CDs that physiotherapists can independently prescribe and deprescribe, improving CPD and supervision, and increasing awareness amongst the public and healthcare professionals.
This study provides novel findings of the perceived benefits, challenges, and development areas for physiotherapy prescribing. There is a need to review and potentially expand the drug formulary for physiotherapists. Improving education and supervision is crucial for the sustainable growth of physiotherapy NMP. Increasing the awareness amongst the public and healthcare professionals may enhance the acceptance of physiotherapy prescribing. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.
物理治疗非医疗处方（NMP）是一种现代发展，使物理治疗师可以在其执业范围内开处方药物。尽管机构和专业支持其实施，但有关物理治疗师对 NMP 的看法和经验的数据有限。
探讨英国处方物理治疗师对 NMP 的看法和经验。
横断面研究，使用匿名在线调查。
招募涉及针对具有 NMP 资格的英国物理治疗师的非概率抽样。通过封闭式和开放式问题收集有关处方物理治疗师的角色、范围和活动的数据。进行描述性统计和归纳内容分析。
在 552 名受访者中，大多数人在 FCP 角色中工作（122/552，22%），82%（450/552）开处方药物。非甾体抗炎药（NSAIDs）是最常开的药物类别（267/450，59%）。认为的好处包括增强患者护理、减轻其他处方者的负担以及改善药物获取。挑战包括限制处方或减少受控药物（CDs）的处方、有限的实践范围和不足的 CPD。为改善物理治疗 NMP 而确定的主题包括增加物理治疗师可以独立开处方和减少处方的 CDs、改善 CPD 和监督以及提高公众和医疗保健专业人员的认识。
本研究提供了对物理治疗处方的感知益处、挑战和发展领域的新发现。需要审查并可能扩大物理治疗师的药物处方集。改善教育和监督对于物理治疗 NMP 的可持续增长至关重要。提高公众和医疗保健专业人员的认识可能会增强对物理治疗处方的接受。
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