Experiences and attitudes toward scientific research among physiotherapists in Austria : a cross-sectional online survey

Research is important for the development of physiotherapy practice, but several countries have a rather short history of physiotherapy as an academic profession. This study investigated physiotherapists' experiences and attitudes toward scientific research in Austria, where physiotherapists have only been qualifying at bachelor level since 2009. A convenience sample of 597 qualified physiotherapists completed an anonymous cross-sectional online survey. Most respondents were female (n = 467, 78.2%) and in age groups between: 26-35 years (n = 149, 25.0%); 36-45 years (n = 178, 29.8%); and 46-55 years (n = 173, 29.0%). Seventeen respondents (2.8%) held doctoral degrees, and 61 (10.2%) had substantial research experience beyond undergraduate or master-level student research. More positive research attitudes were observed in participants who were male, younger, without children, had completed their physiotherapy qualification since 2009, were engaged in teaching and education, and held postgraduate degrees. Most frequently reported barriers and/or enabling factors for physiotherapy research were time, training, finances and a "critical mass" of research activity. These findings highlight low levels of research activity among physiotherapists in Austria, despite general appreciation of the importance of research for the profession. The identified attitudinal profiles, barriers, and facilitators may inform initiatives for advancing physiotherapy research in the Austrian context

Physiotherapists' job satisfaction according to employment situation : findings from an online survey in Austria

Background and Purpose: Physiotherapists are commonly working in self‐employed, employed, or in combined employed and self‐employed work arrangements. This study aimed at examining aspects of job satisfaction and predictors of physiotherapists' overall job satisfaction across those three types of work arrangements. Methods: Austrian physiotherapists rated their overall job satisfaction as well as the importance and realisation of aspects of job satisfaction in a cross‐sectional online survey. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of overall job satisfaction, and (for employed therapists only) predictors for planning to change the employer. Results: The sample consisted of 581 physiotherapists working in the public or private sector, of which, 342 were self‐employed, 100 employed, and 139 both employed and self‐employed. Physiotherapists generally indicated high job satisfaction with notable variations according to their work arrangements. Overall job satisfaction and the aspects of recognition and autonomy were higher in self‐employed therapists, when compared to the other two groups. In contrast, self‐employed therapists reported lower satisfaction with mentoring and peer support. Those who were both employed and self‐employed reported the highest gap between the importance and realisation of their work–life balance (r = −0.50, p < 0.001). Recognition was identified as the most important predictor of job satisfaction (ß = 0.52, p < 0.001) and intention to leave (ß = −0.54, p < 0.001) in employed physiotherapists. Discussion: The analysis of job satisfaction according to work arrangements suggests several approaches to increase or maintain a high level of job satisfaction, which may be addressed by employers and physiotherapy professional organisations. For employed physiotherapists, practices that increase their recognition and autonomy seem to be promising, whereas self‐employed physiotherapists could benefit from enhanced opportunities for exchange and networking with colleagues. For those who are both employed and self‐employed, more flexible work schedules may be helpful to integrate the demands of private patients and employer workloads

Attitudes towards scientific research among undergraduate physiotherapy students in Austria

Background: Education of physiotherapists in basic and applied science fosters evidence-based physiotherapy practice and enables research careers of physiotherapists. In Austria, where physiotherapists have been qualifying at bachelor level since 2009, attitudes towards scientific research among undergraduate physiotherapy students have not been explored. Methods: Sixty-eight undergraduate physiotherapy students in Austria completed an anonymous cross-sectional online survey. The survey invitation was disseminated electronically in spring 2019 to student members of the professional association and via undergraduate education providers. Respondents rated research-related attitudinal statements, and importance of generic and research-related aspects of job satisfaction. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: Respondents were in their first (n=20/29.4%), second (n=16/23.5%) and third (n=32/47.1%) year of study. Most were female (n=46/67.6%) and in age groups 18-25 (n=44/64.7%) and 26-35 years (n=21/30.9%). Thirty (44.1%) had a prior professional qualification. Forty-six (67.6%) reported no research experience whatsoever. The remainder had experience from mainly undergraduate physiotherapy research projects. Attitudinal ratings demonstrated general appreciation of the importance of research for patient care and for the development of the profession, e.g. 62 (91.2%) strongly agreed with the statement ‘research is crucial for the future development of physiotherapy’. Up to a quarter indicated strong interest in conducting research, e.g. in response to the statement ‘I can envisage applying for a research-physiotherapist post in the future’. Ratings for generic aspects of job satisfaction were high, e.g. ‘having a positive influence’: mean (SD) importance 6.4 (0.9) on a 7-point scale. Research-related aspects of job satisfaction were rated of high to moderate importance, e.g. ‘opportunity for physiotherapists to take on a researcher role’: mean (SD) importance 4.3 (1.7). Discussion: Undergraduate physiotherapy students in this sample appreciated the importance of physiotherapy research for the benefit of the profession and for patient care. The findings identify a sub-group of students who indicate interest in a research career in physiotherapy. The study was limited by the small self-selected convenience sample, representing 4.9% of 1,392 undergraduate physiotherapy student places in Austria and possibly with a prior interest in research. Conclusion: These exploratory findings indicate awareness and appreciation of the importance of scientific research among undergraduate physiotherapy students in Austria

Opportunities to become involved in scientific research within Austrian physiotherapists' practice environments : perceived importance versus realisation

Background: The application of science is important for physiotherapy practice, but levels of scientific/academic physiotherapy education and practice vary between countries. In Austria, physiotherapists have been qualifying at bachelor level only since 2009. It is unknown to what extent practising physiotherapists in Austria have opportunity to become involved in scientific research, and how this impacts job satisfaction. Methods: In spring 2019, an anonymous cross-sectional online survey was disseminated via professional networks and completed by a convenience sample of 586 qualified physiotherapists in Austria. Respondents rated generic and research-related items of job satisfaction with respect to personal importance and realisation in their current workplace, on a scale from 7 (very important/fully realised) to 1 (unimportant/not at all realised). Data were analysed descriptively and using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test (two-sided, alpha=0.05). Results: Most respondents were female (n=456/77.8%) and in age groups 26-35 (n=149/25.4%), 36-45 (n=178/30.4%) and 46-55 years (n=173/29.5%). One-hundred sixty-four (28.0%) had qualified since 2009. Most were self-employed (n=342/57.3%) or combined self-employed/employed (n=139/23.3%). One third (n=194/33.1%) were engaged in teaching and education. Ratings for generic job satisfaction items were overall high, e.g. ‘financial security’: mean (SD) importance 6.2 (0.9), realisation 5.7 (1.2). Research-related items were rated of high to moderate importance and moderate to low realisation, e.g. ‘support to develop into a researcher role’: mean (SD) importance 4.4 (2.0), realisation 3.2 (2.0); ‘contributing to research projects’: importance 4.4 (1.9), realisation 3.1 (2.0). For all research-related items importance was rated significantly higher (p<0.001) than realisation, with effect sizes ranging from small (r=-0.17) to medium (r=-0.33). Discussion: On average, physiotherapists in this sample considered opportunities to become involved in scientific research to be important, but less so than generic aspects of job satisfaction. Importance of research-related aspects was consistently rated greater than their realisation. A study limitation relates to the sampling strategy, resulting in a self-selected convenience sample with possible prior interest in research. The sample represents 4.0% of 14,705 state-registered physiotherapists in Austria. Conclusion: There is scope for developing research opportunities for practising physiotherapists in Austria to facilitate linkage between the clinical and scientific domains, and to ultimately benefit patient care