Attitude and practices of obstetricians and gynecologists towards involvement of physiotherapists in management of obstetric and gynecologic conditions

Figures & data

Table 1 Distribution of participants by place of basic medical and postgraduate training and present hospital of practice

Name/place	Basic medical	Postgraduate	Hospital of practice
UCH	21 (31.3%)	16 (23.9%)	16 (23.9%)
OATHS	9 (1.4%)	15 (22.4%)	16 (23.9%)
LUTH	14 (20.9%)	12 (17.9%)	11 (16.4%)
LASUTH	0 (0.0%)	7 (10.4%)	8 (11.9%)
FMC	0 (0.0%)	4 (6.0%)	5 (7.5%)
UNILORINTH	9 (13.4%)	1 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)
LAUTH	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.5%)	3 (4.5%)
UNNTH	4 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)
UNIBENTH	4 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)
UNIJOSTH	1 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)
UK	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)
OOUTH	5 (97.5%)	8 (11.9%)	8 (11.9%)

Table 2 Distribution of participants’ knowledge of the role of physiotherapists in obstetrics and gynecology

	Yes	No	Not sure	Total
Obstetric practice
Antenatal care	55 (82.1%)	2 (3.0%)	10 (14.9%)	67 (100%)
Parturition	38 (56.7%)	10 (14.9%)	19 (28.4%)	67 (100%)
Postnatal care	66 (98.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.5%)	67 (100%)
Gynecologic conditions
Pelvic inflammatory disease	22 (32.8%)	23 (34.3%)	22 (32.8%)	67 (100%)
Uterine prolapse	66 (98.5%)	–	1 (1.5%)	67 (100%)
Hysterectomy	47 (70.1%)	11 (16.4%)	9 (13.4%)	67 (100%)
Cervical incompetence	5 (7.5%)	46 (68.7%)	16 (23.9%)	67 (100%)

Table 3 Participants’ attitudes to physiotherapy service

	SA	A	SW	D	SD
Physiotherapy may not contribute significantly to complete well-being of obstetric patients	10	5	0	1	51
	14.9%	7.5%	0.0%	1.5%	76.1%
Physiotherapy may not contribute significantly to complete well-being of gynecologic patients	3	5	0	1	58
	4.5%	7.5%	0.0%	1.5%	86.6%
Physiotherapy may not contribute significantly to complete well-being with drugs and instructions	2	3	0	0	62
	3.0%	4.5%	0.0%	0.0%	92.5%
Physiotherapy is too expensive to be afforded by my patients	8	5	0	0	54
	11.9%	7.5%	0.0%	0.0%	80.6%
Physiotherapy is time-demanding	34	4	0	0	29
	50.7%	6.0%	0.0%	0.0%	43.3%
Physiotherapists should be allowed to attend the labor ward	26	11	0	0	30
	38.8%	16.4%	0.0%	0.0%	44.8%
Physiotherapy should be allowed to attend some surgical operations for gynecologic patients	38	7	0	0	22
	56.7%	10.4%	0.0%	0.0%	32.8%
Physiotherapists are not competent to manage my patients	3	2	0	0	62
	4.5%	3.0%	0.0%	0.0%	92.5%
Physiotherapy will cause harm to my patients	2	1	0	1	63
	3.0%	1.5%	0.0%	1.5%	94.0%
Physiotherapists have been adequate in their interprofessional relationships	28	9	1	0	29
	41.8%	13.4%	1.5%	0.0%	43.3%

Abbreviations: SA, strongly agree; A, agree; SW, somewhat; D, disagree; SD, strongly disagree.

Table 4 Utilization of physiotherapy services by obstetricians and gynecologists

Means of referral of patients	Frequency	Percentage	Cumulative %
Private physiotherapy clinic	6	9.0	9.0
Private physiotherapist	3	4.5	13.5
General/state hospitals	38	56.7	70.2
Physical health educator	2	3.0	73.2
Hospital of practice	8	11.9	90.5
1 and 3	5	7.5	85.5
2 and 3	1	1.5	100.0
Total	63	94.0
No referral	4	6.0
Mode of referral
With prescription	48	71.6	76.2
Without prescription	14	20.9	98.4
Both	1	1.5	100.0
Total	63	94.0
Neither	4	6.0
Total	67	100.0

Table 5 Factors affecting extent of utilization of physiotherapy by participants

Questions 15–26	Yes	No	Not sure
Physiotherapy service is too expensive	3 (4.5%)	34 (50.7%)	30 (44.8%)
There are enough physiotherapists in my hospital to cover the obstetrics and gynecology ward	10 (14.9%)	31 (46.3%)	26 (38.8%)
Physiotherapy has worsened the condition of my patient before	1 (1.5%)	62 (92.5%)	4 (6.0%)
Presence of physiotherapy degree program in college of training	45 (67.2%)	15 (22.4%)	7 (10.4%)
Has physiotherapy posting	10 (14.9%)	49 (73.1%)	8 (11.9%)
Does physiotherapist go on ward round with doctors	7 (10.4%)	51 (76.1%)	9 (13.4%)
Worked with a physiotherapist in management of obstetric patients	47 (70.1%)	18 (26.9%)	2 (3.0%)
Worked with a physiotherapist in the management of gynecology patient	49 (73.1%)	16 (23.9%)	2 (3.0%)
Is there physiotherapy training/clinical department in your hospital	56 (83.6%)	7 (10.4%)	4 (6.0%)
Presence of physiotherapy department in your hospital of training	65 (97.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.0%)
Have a physiotherapist as close friend	63 (94.0%)	4 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)
Presence of physiotherapy clinic within vicinity of hospital of practice	17 (25.4%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (74.6%)