Integrating competency analysis into national rehabilitation workforce evaluation: a case study.

BACKGROUND: Establishing a workforce capable of meeting population needs is contingent on evaluation that can inform sound policy and planning. Health workforce evaluation has traditionally relied on health labour market analysis and workload estimations. To date, competency analysis has not been included in national health workforce evaluation, despite that fact that the findings may go far in guiding decisions around workforce composition, optimisation and education and training. This case study sought to assess the feasibility and perceived added value of integrating competency analysis into national rehabilitation workforce evaluation, and to determine how competency analysis can shape rehabilitation workforce planning. The findings of the case study can be used to explore the integration of competency analysis in the evaluation of other health-related occupational groups. METHODS: Participant observation was complemented by key informant interviews with experts engaged in the national rehabilitation workforce evaluation in Poland. These experts represented stakeholders in policy, education, research, clinical practice and professional associations. RESULTS: The results indicated that competency analysis can be feasibly integrated into national rehabilitation workforce evaluation, particularly when implementation is supported through the use of online platforms. However, the collection of additional data using other tools, such as a survey of the behaviours and tasks of a wider sample of rehabilitation workers, could strengthen data reliability. Experts perceived findings of the competency analysis to be valuable for expanding the understanding of rehabilitation, shedding light on task allocation and deployment of the existing rehabilitation workforce, and advocating for the rehabilitation workforce to be strengthened, especially in relation to those occupations which may not be recognised or valued as rehabilitation workers. Although it was not possible to fully explore the impact of competency analysis data on rehabilitation workforce planning and development in this study, experts suggested that its availability would likely foster greater cooperation among occupations, which has been missing at the policy and planning level to date. It further demonstrates what competency data should be collected and reported, and provides richer information to guide decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Competency analysis complements traditional labour market analysis and workload estimates, adding depth to the understanding of how members of the workforce perform and perceive themselves, and how deficiencies in the workforce impact on the provision of care to specific population groups.

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy versus manual therapy in patients with neck pain: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy with manual therapy in improving the range of motion, decreasing pain, and improving activity of daily living in patients with neck pain. DESIGN: Double-blinded, randomized, experimental study. PATIENTS: Women aged 45-65 with cervical pain due to osteoarthritis of the vertebral body and intervertebral disc. METHODS: A total of 93 randomly selected females were included in the study. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. One received proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation treatment and the other received manual therapy. To evaluate functional capabilities, the Oswestry Disability Index and range of motion measure were used. To evaluate changes in subjective experience of pain the Visual Analogue Scale was used. RESULTS: In terms of the activities of daily living, pain, and range of motion of flexion, extension, lateral flexion to the right and left, and rotation to the right and left improvement in group I compared with group II was statistically significant (p < 0.05) at 2 weeks and 3 months' follow-up. CONCLUSION: Treatment according to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation is a better method in comparison with manual therapy regarding improvement of pain, range of motion, and daily functioning in patients with cervical pain.

Knowledge, behaviours and attitudes towards Evidence-Based Practice amongst physiotherapists in Poland. A nationwide cross-sectional survey and focus group study protocol.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence-Based Practice, EBP, is recognised, along with team work and patient-centred care, as a core competency in contemporary healthcare. However, dissemination and implementation of EBP remains problematic and is dependent on various external and internal factors, from personal through institutional to systemic, factors, with specific characteristics for different professions, contexts and settings. Knowledge, behaviours, attitudes, as well as facilitators and barriers towards EBP amongst physiotherapists, have been widely explored worldwide, but never in Poland. This study is part of a nationwide project, including dissemination actions addressing EBP in physiotherapists registered in Poland. Our purpose is to explore the issues of knowledge, behaviours, experiences, and attitudes of physiotherapists in Poland towards EBP. Descriptive research studies are warranted before analytical investigations and dissemination activities are conducted. METHODS: We plan to conduct a quantitative, cross-sectional study-an online survey amongst the total population of physiotherapists registered in Poland to assess knowledge, behaviours and use of EBP (Study 1), and a qualitative study to allow physiotherapists to voice their opinions and to explore their experiences and attitudes towards EBP (Study 2). The EBP2 questionnaire, Polish validated translation, will be used for Study 1, in a web-based survey. A focus group approach will be applied for Study 2, with purposive sampling to achieve a representative picture of physiotherapists with respect to setting, specialty, seniority, educational degrees, and age. We will follow an inductive approach, using topics rather than questions. RESULTS: We will present the results of the studies separately, as typically presented in relevant study types: Study 1 will be reported addressing the domains and items of the EBP2, in relation to the independent variables, and Study 2 will be discussed using the themes and illustrative quotes analyses. DISCUSSION: We are aware that significant non-response, spin and Hawthorne effect may potentially bias our findings.