Core clinical competencies for extended-scope physiotherapists working in musculoskeletal (MSK) interface clinics based in primary care : a Delphi consensus study

• Main Author: Suckley, J. E.
• Published: University of Salford 2012
• Subjects: 362.1967; Health and Wellbeing
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.575058

Objectives: The primary aim of this UK-based study was to identify core clinical competencies (skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours) for primary-care-based extended-scope physiotherapists (ESPs) working in the field of adult musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine. Although the musculoskeletal (MSK) ESP role in the UK has been in existence for over 10 years, there is no competency and curriculum framework supporting these posts. This study used a consensus-building methodology with a multidisciplinary panel of MSK experts to identify core clinical competencies for MSK ESP practice. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit MSK ESPs and MSK medical experts from six specialist fields within medicine: rheumatology, neurology, neurosurgery, general practice, orthopaedic surgery, and rehabilitation medicine. Seventy-two experts volunteered to take part in a three-round online Delphi survey and fifty-six experts completed all three rounds. Qualitative data from the first and second questionnaire rounds were analysed using content analysis, and descriptive statistics facilitated the presentation of quantitative data. Principal findings: The expert Delphi panellists identified 104 core clinical competencies for primary-care-based MSK ESP practice and they reached a consensus view on 85 competency items. Importance and Relevance: This is the first study to have identified core clinical competencies for primary-care-based MSK ESPs. Although further work is required to validate the results of this Delphi survey, they represent a contribution to knowledge in the field of MSK ESP practice and they should assist the professional body and the health care regulator with their development of a nationally agreed competency and curriculum framework for MSK ESP practice.