Saudi Arabian Physical Therapists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Clinical Practice in Diabetes Prevention and Management

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic Characteristics of the Participants

Demographic Variable	n (%)
Gender, female	96 (31.9)
Age group (Years)
20–29	206 (68.4)
30–39	70 (23.3)
40–49	24 (8)
50 and above	1 (0.3)
Years of experience
<2	153 (50.8)
2–4	72 (23.9)
5–9	42 (14)
10–14	22 (7.3)
15 and above	12 (4)
Practice setting
Outpatient facility, government practice	126 (41.9)
Inpatient facility, government practice	41 (13.6)
Outpatient facility, private practice	96 (31.9)
Inpatient facility, private practice	13 (4.3)
Home care	9 (3)
Academic institution	16 (5.3)
Highest level of education
Bachelor of Physical Therapy	216 (71.8)
Master of Physical Therapy	63 (20.9)
Ph.D. in Physical Therapy	10 (3.3)
Doctor of Physical Therapy	8 (2.7)
Other (Such as diplomas)	4 (1.3)
Special education related to DM	80 (26.6)
Primary patient population seen by the therapist
Musculoskeletal	209 (69.4)
Neurological	49 (16.3)
Cardiorespiratory	6 (2)
Pediatrics	23 (7.6)
Other	14 (4.7)
Number of patients seen per day
0–5	138 (45.8)
6–10	116 (38.5)
11–15	34 (11.3)
More than 15	13 (4.3)
Percentage of patients with DM seen by the therapist
0–25%	168 (55.8)
26–50%	102 (33.9)
51–75%	26 (8.6)
76–100%	5 (1.7)
Therapist’s family history of DM	202 (67.1)
Experience with diabetes-related complications	159 (52.8)

Table 2 Descriptive Data for Attitudes and Beliefs

Question	Strongly Agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
Diabetes prevention and management fall within the scope of physiotherapy practice.	19 (29.9)	147 (48.8)	47 (15.6)	12 (4)	5 (1.7)
My entry-level physiotherapy schooling adequately prepared me to effectively assess and treat persons with diabetes.	49 (16.3)	122 (40.5)	77 (25.6)	40 (13.3)	13 (4.3)
Having diabetes will affect a patient’s physical response to physiotherapy.	94 (31.2)	153 (50.8)	43 (14.3)	11 (3.7)	0 (0)
To effectively work with a person who has diabetes, a physical therapist requires specialized diabetes education/certification.	66 (21.9)	126 (41.9)	76 (25.2)	27 (9)	6 (2)
Patients with, or at risk of developing, diabetes are receptive to counseling and/or lifestyle education from physical therapists.	85 (28.2)	139 (46.2)	54 (17.9)	19 (6.3)	4 (1.3)
It is my responsibility to offer resources to patients to manage their diabetes if required.	72 (23.9)	130 (43.2)	74 (24.6)	23 (7.6)	2 (0.7)
It is my responsibility to refer patients with diabetes to other health care practitioners to help manage their diabetes if required.	141 (43.8)	103 (34.2)	45 (15)	10 (3.3)	2 (0.7)
I believe physical therapists can play a role in the prevention of diabetes.	122 (40.5)	111 (36.9)	54 (17.9)	11 (3.7)	3 (1)
Question	Question Details			Number (%)
When working with a person with diabetes, physical therapists have a role in one of the following areas?	Exercise			265 (88)
	Diet and Nutrition			97 (32.2)
	Weight Management			154 (51.2)
	Blood Glucose Control			101 (33.6)
	Stress Management			105 (34.9)
	Secondary Complications			159 (52.8)
I am confident in my ability to educate people with diabetes with regard to	Exercise			262 (87)
	Diet and Nutrition			104 (34.6)
	Weight Management			130 (43.2)
	Blood Glucose Control			92 (30.6)
	Stress Management			102 (33.9)
	Secondary Complications			123 (40.9)

Table 3 Descriptive Data for Current Practices

Question	Always	Most of the Time	Sometimes	Infrequently	Never
I specifically screen for diabetes during my initial assessments.	141 (46.8)	74 (24.6)	56 (18.6)	16 (5.3)	14 (4.7)
In patients with diabetes, I specifically ask about blood glucose control.	149 (49.5)	73 (24.3)	52 (17.3)	19 (6.3)	8 (2.7)
In patients with diabetes, I specifically ask patients to test their blood glucose levels.	89 (29.6)	66 (21.9)	65 (21.6)	35 (11.6)	46 (15.3)
I encourage patients to bring equipment to check their low blood glucose levels during their treatment.	66 (21.9)	58 (19.3)	55 (18.3)	38 (12.6)	84 (27.9)
I monitor patients with diabetes for low blood glucose warning signs during treatment/exercise.	132 (43.9)	56 (18.6)	68 (22.6)	19 (6.3)	26 (8.6)
I provide education around diabetes management and control when a patient with diabetes comes to see me with a different primary issue.	79 (26.2)	87 (28.9)	76 (25.2)	34 (11.3)	25 (8.3)
Question				Number (%)
I treat patients specifically for diabetes-related complications.			Yes	169 (56.1)
I have a treatment plan/policy in place in case a patient with diabetes experiences low blood glucose levels.			Yes	182 (60.5)
I refer patients to the following to augment/help in the care of their diabetes:
Physician				233 (77.4)
Community nurse				65 (21.6)
Dietician				139 (46.2)
Chiropodist				20 (6.6)
Occupational therapist				29 (9.6)
Social worker				31 (10.3)
Multidisciplinary clinic				59 (19.6)
Any Association for diabetes				91 (30.2)
Other resources				49 (16.3)
Do you offer counsel to patients regarding diabetes management or prevention?
Yes				180 (59.8)
If no, why?
Lack of time				53 (17.6)
Lack of training				55 (18.3)
Lack of comfort				27 (9)
Diabetes is outside my scope of practice				47 (15.6)
Other				9 (3)

Table 4 Descriptive Data for Knowledge

Question	Correct Response, n (%)
When treating someone with low blood glucose levels, which of the following is the most appropriate? (One cup of diet soda, half a cup of fruit juice, half a chocolate bar, one cup of Glucerna/Ensure/Boost drink)	174 (57.8)
In a patient using insulin, what is recommended as the minimum capillary blood glucose level for participation in exercise? (3.5 mmol/L, 5.5 mmol/L, 8.5 mmol/L, 10 mmol/L)	162 (53.8)
What is the recommended amount of weekly aerobic activity for people with diabetes? (70 minutes, 100 minutes, 150 minutes, 180 minutes, 210 minutes)	141 (46.8)
What is the best type of exercise for people with diabetes? (Aerobic, Resistance, Aerobic and resistance, None of the above)	161 (53.5)
Do you think that a Web-based learning module regarding the physiotherapy care of individuals with diabetes would be helpful? Yes	247 (82.1)

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author (Ah.A) upon reasonable request.