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

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.

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01336361

Enrollment

228

Registered

2011-04-15

Start date

2011-04-30

Completion date

2011-05-31

Last updated

2014-09-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Perception

Keywords

Palliative Care, Physical Therapy, Functionally Dependent Elderly

Brief summary

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

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.

Interventions

OTHERSurvey

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.

Study design

Observational model

CASE_ONLY

Time perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Yes

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

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	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

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026