Objective

To assess the perspectives of physical therapists treating patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) on their current practice and educational needs.

Method

In July 2019, 405 SSc patients attending a multidisciplinary SSc programme received a survey on physical therapy. Patients who indicated having received physical therapy in the past 2 years were asked to invite their treating physical therapist to complete a questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, referral process, content of treatment, perceived knowledge and skills, and educational needs (mostly yes/no answers).

Results

Forty-eight of 80 possibly eligible physical therapists treating SSc patients returned the questionnaire [median age 44 years (interquartile range 35–58); 52% female; median number of SSc patients currently treated: 1 (range 1–4)]. Eighty-one per cent (n = 39) of physical therapists had received a referral, with 69% (n = 27/39) judging its content as insufficient. The most often provided types of exercises were range of motion (96%), muscle-strengthening (85%), and aerobic (71%) exercises, followed by hand (42%) and mouth (10%) exercises. Concerning manual treatment, 65% performed either massage or passive mobilization. Regarding competences, 65% indicated feeling capable of treating SSc patients. Nevertheless, 85% expressed the need for an information website on physical therapy in SSc, and 77% for postgraduate education on SSc.

Conclusion

Primary care physical therapists treating patients with SSc used a wide range of treatment modalities. Although most stated that they treated very few patients, the majority felt capable of treating SSc patients. Nevertheless, the large majority expressed a need for additional information and educational activities concerning SSc.

中文翻译：

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系统性硬化症患者的物理治疗：物理治疗师对当前分娩和教育需求的看法

客观的

评估治疗系统性硬化症 (SSc) 患者的物理治疗师对其当前实践和教育需求的看法。

方法

2019 年 7 月，405 名参加多学科 SSc 项目的 SSc 患者接受了物理治疗调查。表示在过去 2 年内接受过物理治疗的患者被要求邀请他们的治疗物理治疗师完成一份问卷，包括社会人口学特征、转诊过程、治疗内容、感知的知识和技能以及教育需求（主要是是/否的答案） .

结果

治疗 SSc 患者的 80 名可能符合条件的物理治疗师中有 48 名返回了问卷 [中位年龄 44 岁（四分位间距 35-58）；52% 女性；目前治疗的 SSc 患者的中位数：1（范围 1-4）]。81% (n = 39) 的物理治疗师收到了转介，69% (n = 27/39) 认为其内容不足。最常提供的运动类型是运动范围（96%）、肌肉强化（85%）和有氧运动（71%），其次是手（42%）和嘴（10%）运动。关于手动治疗，65% 的人进行了按摩或被动动员。关于能力，65% 的人表示感觉有能力治疗 SSc 患者。尽管如此，85% 的人表示需要一个关于 SSc 物理治疗的信息网站，77% 的人表示需要 SSc 的研究生教育。

结论

治疗 SSc 患者的初级保健物理治疗师使用了广泛的治疗方式。尽管大多数人表示他们治疗的患者很少，但大多数人认为他们有能力治疗 SSc 患者。然而，绝大多数人表示需要有关 SSc 的更多信息和教育活动。