US physical therapist practice patterns evaluating concussion and clinical practice guideline adherence.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the influence of contemporary physical therapy clinical practice guidelines (CPG) on concussion evaluation practice patterns and barriers/facilitators for CPG adherence.

DESIGN

Electronic cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Online survey platform.

PARTICIPANTS

US licensed physical therapists that manage concussion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) practice patterns 2) knowledge/use of CPG 3) barriers/facilitations to CPG adherence.

RESULTS

Knowledge/use of CPG categories significantly predicted the model (χ2(1) = 10.966, p < .001) of total vignette scores/practice patterns with a statistically significant effect. A Kruskal-Wallis test indicated significant differences in total vignette score means based on knowledge/use between "not aware of the concussion CPG" and "integrated concussion CPG into practice" groups (p < .001, ES = .21). Knowledge/use of the CPG predicted the perceived barriers/facilitators model for three questions: investment in specialized concussion training (χ2(1) = 39.52, p < .001), necessary equipment to complete concussion evaluation (χ2(1) = 16.01, p < .001), and confidence around concussion evaluation knowledge (χ2(1) = 27.46, p < .001) with a significant effect.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study provide support for guiding documents like the CPG to positively influence concussion practice patterns and insight into facilitators for guideline adherence.