Emerging Physical Therapy Practice in Palliative Care: A Survey of Perceptions of Physical Therapists

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to explore emerging physical therapy practice in palliative care, and the perceptions of physical therapists regarding their care of the functionally dependent elderly, including: (1) the role and utilization of palliative care intervention in current practice, (2) current and potential goal-setting practices which may relate to palliative care, and (3) therapists' awareness of cultural and psychosocial issues in patient care.

Detailed Description
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Palliative Care is a growing medical practice specialty, however the level of physical therapist involvement and the particular roles for physical therapy in this evolving discipline are relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore emerging physical therapy practice in palliative care, and the perceptions of physical therapists regarding their care of the functionally dependent elderly, including the role and utilization of palliative care intervention in current practice, goal-setting practices which may relate to palliative care, and therapists' awareness of cultural and psychosocial issues in patient care.

Official Title
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Emerging Practice in Palliative Care: A Survey of the Perceptions of Physical Therapists Regarding the Role, Utilization, Goals, and Cultural Issues of Physical Therapy Intervention in the Palliative Care of Functionally Dependent Elderly.

Conditions
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Perception

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Survey


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Physical Therapists who are members of the APTA and live in the United States Reported practice in an inpatient or home health setting Exclusion Criteria: None

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Physical Therapists<br>Physical Therapists who are members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and live in the United States . | Other: Survey<br>* A one-time paper survey was mailed to subjects, along with a cover letter, explanation of the research study, and contact and informed consent information. A reminder postcard was sent to subjects approximately one week later, encouraging return of the completed survey.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Perceptions of physical therapists regarding the role, utilization, goals, and cultural issues of physical therapy interventions in the palliative care of functionally dependent elderly. |  | Baseline | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Palliative Care, Physical Therapy, Functionally Dependent Elderly