Geriatric and gerontological physiotherapy in focus: a cross-sectional survey of education, clinical practice, and service availability across world physiotherapy member nations

Abstract

Background

The ageing global population necessitates specialised geriatric/gerontological physiotherapy services (GPTS) to address age-related conditions. We explored the current state of geriatric/gerontological physiotherapy (GPT) academic programmes and clinical practice among World Physiotherapy member nations (WPMNs) and identified factors, including socioeconomic indicators, that predicted the GPTS globally.

Methods

We conducted an online cross-sectional survey between April 1 and September 19, 2024, inviting official representatives of the 128 WPMNs to answer questions relating to GPT academic programmes and clinical services and practices. We also extracted the Human Development Index (HDI), life expectancy, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita for each WPMN from the United Nations Development and World Bank databases. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, a map, bubble charts, and logistic regression models.

Results

Sixty-seven countries (67/128, 52.3% response rate) completed the survey. Among them, 34 (50.7%) and 19 (28.4%) reported having geriatric/gerontology modules in their entry-level and graduate-level physiotherapy programmes, respectively. Additionally, 20 (29.9%) and 13 (19.4%) reported having entry-level geriatric/gerontology clinical placement and graduate-level clinical training, respectively. Physiotherapists were members of interdisciplinary geriatric/gerontological teams in Africa (9/11, 81.8%), Asia Western Pacific (10/16, 62.5%), Europe (15/27, 55.6%), North America Caribbean (4/7, 57.1%), and South America (5/6, 83.3%), but they can only lead the teams in few countries: Africa (1/11, 9.1%), Asia Western Pacific (4/16, 25.0%), Europe (5/27, 18.5%), North America Caribbean (2/7, 28.6%), and South America (2/6, 33.3%). GPTS were more common in countries with graduate-level geriatric physiotherapy academic programmes (OR = 33.47, 95% CI: 1.36, 822.39, p = 0.032) GPT Availability in Practice Act (OR = 41.93, 95% CI: 1.66, 1059.78, p = 0.023), and higher HDI (OR = 5.32e + 07, 95% CI: 49.78, 5.67e + 12, p = 0.003). Europe and North America Caribbean regions had lower older-adult-to-physiotherapist ratios and a higher life expectancy, HDI, and GPTS availability than other World Physiotherapy regions.

Conclusion

Geriatric/gerontological PT education and clinical practice are evolving, especially at the entry-level training across WPMNs; however, extra effort is required to enhance graduate specialization to cater to the emerging ageing population.