Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research
The knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of physiotherapists in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, towards mental health
Submitted: 03 March 2020 | Published: 30 October 2020
About the author(s)
Marilyn Hooblaul, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, Ekuhlengeni Psychiatric Hospital, Durban, South AfricaSaul Cobbing, Department of Physiotherapy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Kurt J. Daniels, Department of Physiotherapy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Physiotherapists are trained to manage patients with physical needs, but because of limited training at an undergraduate level in mental health, patients may not receive holistic care. This lack of knowledge often can deny people living with a mental illness (PLWMI) the potential benefits of physiotherapy treatment and exercise.
Objectives: Our study conducted in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of physiotherapists working in the Department of Health (DoH) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, towards mental health, and to determine whether their undergraduate training prepared them to manage PLWMI.
Methods: A mixed-method design was employed. The Attitudes to Psychiatry (ATP-30) questionnaire was distributed to 153 physiotherapists in KwaZulu-Natal. Focus groups were conducted to ascertain whether their undergraduate training prepared them adequately to manage PLWMI.
Results: A total of 124 physiotherapists completed the questionnaires. The mean ATP-30 scores was 103.70 (SD = 11.71). Females had slightly higher ATP-30 scores than males. Physiotherapists indicated in the focus groups that they received limited training about mental health at an undergraduate level.
Conclusion: Physiotherapists working in the KwaZulu-Natal public sector have a positive attitude towards mental health and managing PLWMI. Participants expressed the need for the inclusion of theoretical and practical knowledge about mental health in the undergraduate curriculum and postgraduate courses related to this topic.
Clinical implications: The outcomes of this study show the importance of the inclusion of mental health in the undergraduate physiotherapy programme. Exposure to the theoretical and practical knowledge of mental health during the undergraduate physiotherapy programme will assist qualified physiotherapists better manage PLWMI. Future studies should be conducted in the other provinces and in the private practice setting in South Africa, so as to compare the results.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 5604Total article views: 6285
Crossref Citations
1. Exploring the Confidence and Attitudes of Physiotherapy Students Working With People Experiencing Mental Ill Health: A Mixed-Methods Study
Erin Byrd, Hannah Alderson, Kariss Humber, Samantha McIver, Laura Hemmings
Journal of Physical Therapy Education vol: 40 issue: 3 first page: 245 year: 2026
doi: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000447
2. Exploring mental health through the eyes of physiotherapy students: Revealing knowledge and attitudes towards mental health roles
Ashutosh Singh, Anand Mohan Jha, Deepesh Sharma
International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research vol: 10 issue: 3 first page: 142 year: 2024
doi: 10.24289/ijsser.1512786
3. The Approach of Physiotherapists in the Management of Patients with Persistent Pain and Comorbid Anxiety/Depression: Are There Any Differences between Male and Female Professionals?
Michele Chiesa, Gregorio Nicolini, Massimiliano Buoli
Medicina vol: 60 issue: 2 first page: 292 year: 2024
doi: 10.3390/medicina60020292
4. Physiotherapy students’ knowledge and attitudes about their role in mental health
Ropafadzo R. Gunduza, Sandy Lord, Monique M. Keller
South African Journal of Physiotherapy vol: 79 issue: 1 year: 2023
doi: 10.4102/sajp.v79i1.1867
5. Current knowledge and practice of post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect rehabilitation: A cross-sectional survey of South African neurorehabilitation physiotherapists
Chuka I. Umeonwuka, Ronel Roos, Veronica Ntsiea
South African Journal of Physiotherapy vol: 78 issue: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.4102/sajp.v78i1.1624
6. Physiotherapy in Mental Health: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review of Practitioner and Student Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions
Farahdina Bachtiar, Chiara Mastrogiovanni, Grace McKeon, Davy Vancampfort, Holly Seale, Dicky C. Pelupessy, Afsana Anwar, Hilmi Zadah Faidullah, Brendon Stubbs, Simon Rosenbaum
Physiotherapy Research International vol: 31 issue: 4 year: 2026
doi: 10.1002/pri.70329
7. Physiotherapists’ perceptions of their role in treating and managing people with depression and anxiety disorders: A systematic review
Chelsea Ribeiro, Louisa Tsang, Brandon Lin, Kevin Kemp-Smith, Jennifer Phillips, James Furness
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice vol: 40 issue: 3 first page: 431 year: 2024
doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2122915
8. Attitudes of Indian Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Students Toward Mental Health and Psychiatry
Nidhi N. Dave, S. G. Praveen
The Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy vol: 54 issue: 3 first page: 102 year: 2022
doi: 10.4103/ijoth.ijoth_19_22
9. Fisioterapeutas e a internação psiquiátrica em hospitais gerais: cuidados e capacitação profissional
Marciana Fernandes Moll, Gabriela Paula Gimenes, Carla Aparecida Arena Ventura, Ana Beatriz Rizzo Zanardo, Giovana Beirigo Borges
Ciência, Cuidado e Saúde vol: 20 year: 2021
doi: 10.4025/ciencuidsaude.v20i0.53494
10. Physiotherapists Lack Knowledge in Mental Health: A Survey of Knowledge and Attitudes of Physical Therapists About Their Role in Mental Health
Madawi Alotaibi, Alanoud Alotaibi, Amani Alqahtani, Rand Alghonaim, Samira Alzahrani, Tala Altamimi, Doaa Aljasser, Samiah Alqabbani, Afrah Almuwais
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare vol: Volume 17 first page: 2821 year: 2024
doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S461746
11. Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of managing patients with mental illness: A qualitative exploration at a South African university
Maylene Salo, Farhana Karachi, Danelle Hess, Shamila Gamiet
South African Journal of Physiotherapy vol: 82 issue: 1 year: 2026
doi: 10.4102/SAJP.v82i1.2355
12. Health professionals’ knowledge and understanding of inclusion health: a systematic literature review
Angela V Flynn, Margaret Bermingham, Maria Caples, Margaret Curtin, Caroline Dalton, Geraldine McLoughlin, James O’Mahony, Sonja Vucen, Mohamad M Saab
Health Policy and Planning vol: 41 issue: 2 first page: 314 year: 2026
doi: 10.1093/heapol/czaf024
13. Mental health education for physiotherapists: A scoping review
Marilyn Hooblaul, Thayananthee Nadasan, Olagbegi M. Oladapo
South African Journal of Psychiatry vol: 29 year: 2023
doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v29i0.2127
14. Opinions of physiotherapists at the University Teaching Hospital on assessing the psychological well-being of patients with stroke: A qualitative study
Taonga Nalungwe, Deborah Chileya, Joseph Lupenga, Jenna Scaramanga
PLOS Mental Health vol: 2 issue: 10 first page: e0000482 year: 2025
doi: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000482
15. Mental, physical, and respiratory health in people with tuberculosis in Southern Africa: a multi-country cohort analysis
Nicolas Banholzer, Guy Muula, Fiona Mureithi, Denise Evans, Jacqueline Huwa, Idiovino Rafael, Cordelia Kunzekwenyika, Nelly Jinga, Amina Fernando, Agness Thawani, Remo Schmutz, Carolyn Bolton, Gunar Günther, Matthias Egger, Andreas D. Haas, Annika C. Sweetland, Marie Ballif, Lukas Fenner
BMC Medicine vol: 23 issue: 1 year: 2025
doi: 10.1186/s12916-025-04321-6
16. Mental health content in the physiotherapy undergraduate curriculum in South Africa
Marilyn Hooblaul, Oladapo M. Olagbegi, Thayananthee Nadasan
South African Journal of Physiotherapy vol: 80 issue: 1 year: 2024
doi: 10.4102/SAJP.v80i1.2061
17. Attitudes of medical students toward psychiatry in Eastern Mediterranean Region: A systematic review
Mohammad Mohebbi, Nastaran Nafissi, Farzaneh Ghotbani, Arash Khojasteh Zonoozi, Hossein Mohaddes Ardabili
Frontiers in Psychiatry vol: 13 year: 2023
doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1027377
18. Physiotherapy students’ and officers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of mental health
Marilyn Hooblaul, Oladapo M. Olagbegi, Thayananthee Nadasan
Health SA Gesondheid vol: 29 year: 2024
doi: 10.4102/HSAG.v29i0.2627
