The knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of physiotherapists and chiropractors in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Effective healthcare delivery occurs when health professionals collaborate and provide holistic, patient-centred care. Physiotherapists and chiropractors treat a common range of patients with an overlap in their scope of practice and modalities because of typical healthcare roles that could lead to ‘perceived’ animosity.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of qualified chiropractors and physiotherapists regarding each other’s practice.

Method: A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire and analysed descriptively.

Results: Participants were chiropractors (n = 116) and physiotherapists (n = 190). Chiropractors achieved a mean knowledge score of 75.7%, with physiotherapists at 59.7% on the assessments of each other’s patients; an average score of 85.3% and 72.0% respectively, on knowledge of treatment modalities; knowledge score of 82.4% and 77.3% respectively, on the conditions treated by the other professional. A total of 82.8% (n = 96) of chiropractors and 70.0% (n = 133) of physiotherapists indicated the other professionals’ competence in treating neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Inter-professional referrals occurred between 81.9% of chiropractors (n = 95) and 55.3% of physiotherapists (n = 105). Chiropractors (69.0%, n = 80) and physiotherapists (55.3%, n = 105) wanted to collaborate to manage patients.

Conclusion: In the surveyed population in South Africa, chiropractors and physiotherapists had good knowledge, positive attitudes and perceptions of each other’s practices, especially in the private sector.

Clinical implications: Inter-professional collaboration between chiropractors and physiotherapists should be encouraged so that healthcare delivery can be holistic and patient-centred for better clinical outcomes.