The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology
Recent publication
The ability of physiotherapists to recognise serious pathologies masquerading as musculoskeletal disorders has already been well researched internationally. However, this ability has not yet been investigated in Austria. The aim of a new study, in which Assoc. Prof. Dr Manfred Wieser MSc, MME and OA Clin. Ass. Prof. Dr Lars Schabel were significantly involved in, was to evaluate the decision-making skills of Austrian physiotherapists. Clinical case studies were presented to them for this purpose. A total of 479 registered physiotherapists took part in the national survey. The results show that the participants recognised an average of 70.5% of musculoskeletal cases and 79.4% of non-critical medical cases. In contrast, approximately half of the medically critical cases were correctly identified.
Janssen, J., Lackenbauer, W., Gasselich, S., Lickel, M. E., Schabel, L., Beikircher, R., Keip, C., Wieser, M., Selfe, J., Mazuquin, B., & Yeowell, G. (2024). The ability of Austrian registered physiotherapists to recognize serious pathology. BMC Primary Care, 25(1), 387. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02634-8
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manfred Wieser MSc, MME
Study Programme Director, Vice Rector for Education
Master's Programme Human Medicine, Management Board
OA Clin. Ass. Prof. Dr. Lars Schabel
Division of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (University Hospital Tulln)