Exploring the competency and confidence levels of physiotherapists in the management of patients diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses

Background: Globally, palliative care services do not meet demand. The World Health Organisation reports that 14% of people who need palliative care currently receive it. Moreover, the increase in chronic disease prevalence will result in the need for services to continue to grow. In Ireland, to help manage this demand, it is recommended that all physiotherapists should be able to deliver basic palliative care to patients diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses. Objective: To explore the competency and confidence levels of physiotherapists in the management of patients with life-limiting conditions. Methods: An anonymous, cross-sectional online questionnaire was designed and administered to physiotherapists working across various settings in Ireland. Results: There were 90 respondents (response rate = 4.2%). A significant majority (93%, n = 84) agreed that most patients with life-limiting conditions can participate in physiotherapy. Just over half (56%, n = 50) felt confident in their ability to prescribe exercise for this cohort. Less than one-third (29%, n = 26) felt that the role of physiotherapy in palliative care was understood by the multi-disciplinary team. The majority (76%, n = 68) did not agree that their undergraduate training prepared them for work in this area. The ability to access mentorship from specialist palliative care physiotherapists was deemed as a facilitator in providing patient care. Conclusion: This study highlights the demand for greater palliative care education, the need for a better understanding among the wider multi-disciplinary team so that patients receive timely access to physiotherapy, and the importance of establishing strong links between specialist physiotherapists and their generalist counterparts.