Focus Group, Guideline Implementation, Nursing Homes, Physiotherapy
Conditions
Keywords
Physical therapy, Older adults, Geriatrics, Long-term care, Guideline implementation, Focus groups, Clinical practice
Brief summary
The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the extent to which physiotherapy sessions in Flemish nursing homes adhere to the IAGG-GARN guidelines and to explore factors influencing clinical practice among physiotherapists. The study targets multiple nursing homes across Flanders, with 3 to 5 centers in each of the provinces of Limburg, Antwerp, and Flemish Brabant. This selection ensures variation in geographic location and organizational context. The participants in this study are physiotherapists working in the participating nursing homes. The main questions it aims to answer are: * To what extent do the physiotherapy sessions align with the IAGG-GARN guidelines? * Are there differences in physiotherapy session content and volume according to physiotherapist characteristics and resident characteristics? * What barriers and facilitators do physiotherapists experience when implementing guideline-based practice in Flemish nursing homes? Researchers will observe physiotherapy sessions delivered as part of routine care and document session content and duration using structured observation diaries. Participating physiotherapists will also take part in focus groups discussing experiences with guideline implementation, barriers, facilitators, and clinical decision-making.
Interventions
OTHERMapping therapy sessions
Mapping therapy sessions provided by physical therapists in Flemish nursing homes
Sponsors
Hasselt University
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* None beyond being a licensed physiotherapist working in a Flemish nursing home and willing to participate.
Exclusion criteria
* None
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Guideline Adherence to IAGG-GARN Recommendations | 2 weeks | Overall adherence of physiotherapy sessions in Flemish nursing homes to IAGG-GARN recommendations. Adherence is assessed through structured direct observation of the routine physiotherapy sessions. The secondary outcomes are operationalize adherence to the guideline (frequency, exercise intensity, exercise duration, exercise type and personalization) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Description | 2 weeks | Narrative description of each exercise performed during a physiotherapy sessions. |
| Use of Equipment, Aids or Materials | 2 weeks | Type of equipment, aids or materials used during each exercise. |
| Exercise format | 2 weeks | Whether the exercise is performed individually or in a group setting. |
| Group Size | 2 weeks | Number of participants involved in group-based exercises. |
| Level of supervision | 2 weeks | Level of supervision provided by the physiotherapist during exercises (none, intermittent, continuous) |
| Exercise Start and End Time | 2 weeks | Start and end time of each exercise performed during physiotherapy sessions |
| Rest Periods During Exercises | 2 weeks | Rest periods during physiotherapy exercises, recorded separately as (1) rest periods instructed or allowed by the physiotherapist and (2) rest periods actually taken by the resident during exercise. |
| Exercise Category | 2 weeks | Category of each exercise performed during physiotherapy sessions (strength, endurance, mobility/flexibility, balance/coordination, or other) |
| Exercise Volume - Repetitions | 2 weeks | Number of repetitions per exercise, recorded separately as (1) repetitions prescribed by the physiotherapist and (2) repetitions actually performed by the resident during the exercise. |
| Exercise Intensity | 2 weeks | Intensity of each exercise performed during physiotherapy sessions, including whether intensity was explicitly determined during the exercise, the method used to determine intensity, the recorded intensity value, and the observer's interpretation (high, medium or low intensity). |
| Walking or Treadmill parameters | 2 weeks | Parameters during walking or treadmill exercises (incline and speed). |
| Cycling Parameters | 2 weeks | Parameters recorded during cycling exercises (rounds per minute, resistance and distance) |
| Speed of movement | 2 weeks | Speed of movement during exercises, classified according to the observed execution pace (slow, controlled or fast). |
| External Load (Resistance) | 2 weeks | External load applied during exercises (kg). |
| Contextual Factors | 2 weeks | Contextual elements influencing physiotherapy sessions, such as disturbances (e.g., noise, interruptions) and other relevant observations. |
Countries
Belgium
Contacts
CONTACTMaxine Claes, Msc
CONTACTJoke Spildooren, Prof.dr
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJoke Spildooren, Prof.dr
UHasselt
Outcome results
None listed