Original Research

South African physiotherapists’ attitudes to medicine prescription as an extension of practice

Tsungirirai V. Kakono, Desmond Mathye, Sarel J. Brand, Werner Cordier
South African Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 79, No 1 | a1851 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v79i1.1851 | © 2023 Tsungirirai V. Kakono, Desmond Mathye, Sarel J. Brand, Werner Cordier | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 24 October 2022 | Published: 23 June 2023

About the author(s)

Tsungirirai V. Kakono, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Desmond Mathye, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Sarel J. Brand, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Werner Cordier, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The extension of medicine prescription rights to other healthcare providers was proposed to reduce pharmacotherapeutic service delivery challenges in the South African healthcare sector. The scope of practice of physiotherapists is being reviewed to possibly include prescription rights to promote service delivery.

Objectives: Our study assessed the attitudes of registered South African physiotherapists to the inclusion of prescription rights in their scope of practice, including enablers and challenges, and the drug classes they believe to be most relevant.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive survey of South African registered physiotherapists was completed using an online questionnaire.

Results: A total of 359 participants completed the questionnaire, where 88.2% agreed that prescribing rights should be introduced, and 87.64% would want to be trained to prescribe. Participants identified several benefits: improved service delivery (91.3%); reduced healthcare delivery costs (89.8%); decreased need for multiple healthcare practitioner consultations (93.2%). Concerns included: inadequate training (55%); increased workload (18.7%); increased insurance premiums against medical liability claims (46.2%). Drugs of relevance included analgesics (95.6%) and bronchodilators (96.0%), while low preference was placed on drugs unrelated to physiotherapy. Chi-square analysis revealed associations between specific drug classes and fields of expertise.

Conclusion: South African physiotherapists agree that prescribing and a limited formulary would benefit their scope of practice; however, educational concerns are evident.

Clinical implications: Findings support the drive to extend the South African physiotherapy scope of practice, however, investigation will be needed to determine the most appropriate way to capacitate future physiotherapists and current graduates should the extension be approved.


Keywords

attitudes; extended scope of practice; non-medical prescribing; physiotherapy; service delivery.

Metrics

Total abstract views: 1754
Total article views: 1424

 

Crossref Citations

1. Social accountability challenges and recommendations by community service rehabilitation therapists
Ntandoyenkosi L. Msomi, Andrew J. Ross
South African Family Practice  vol: 66  issue: 1  year: 2024  
doi: 10.4102/safp.v66i1.5936