Physical Therapists in Pakistan Face Significant Training Gaps

Physical therapists in Pakistan are struggling with significant training gaps that hinder their ability to provide top-notch care. A recent survey of practicing physical therapists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces revealed that they have high importance scores, but lower performance scores, across various professional domains.

The survey showed that physical therapists have high training needs in areas such as research appraisal, amputation management, health promotion, wheelchair prescription, gait training, and administrative tasks. In fact, the largest gap was found in administration, with a score of 4.37. These findings suggest that physical therapists require targeted training to bridge these gaps and provide better care to their patients.

Experience and role play a significant role in determining the training needs of physical therapists. Less experienced therapists showed higher needs in administration and management domains. On the other hand, senior physical therapists with more experience have fewer training needs in research. This highlights the need for tailored professional development programs that cater to the unique needs of physical therapists at different stages of their careers.

The survey also found that physical therapists have limited predictive effects on training needs, except for senior position reducing research training need. This suggests that other factors such as professional development opportunities, leadership training, and curriculum reforms may be necessary to address the training gaps.

Overall, the findings emphasize the need for a national framework to standardize competencies and enhance rehabilitation services in Pakistan. By investing in the professional growth of physical therapists, Pakistan can improve the quality of care provided to patients and ultimately enhance the overall healthcare system.