Improving physiotherapists' ability to recognise the presence of a serious pathology with a digital educational training: a mixed methods feasibility study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Due to an aging population, the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders and serious pathologies like spinal fractures and cancer is rising. Physiotherapists are ideally positioned to screen for signs and symptoms of serious pathologies (red flags) early; however, training in recognizing these signs and symptoms is limited. Additionally, evidence on the effectiveness of digital educational tools for this purpose is sparse. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a digital educational training designed to improve physiotherapists' ability to identify serious pathologies.

Methods

A randomised mixed-methods feasibility study ran from March to May 2024, involving Austrian physiotherapists recruited via email. After providing informed consent and demographic data,

SUBMITTER: Janssen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12557938 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature