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Background and Purpose. The purposes of this study were to describe the use of ultrasound by Dutch physical therapists and to address the question of whether this use is what would be considered correct. Subjects and Methods. Physical therapists in the Dutch primary health care system gathered data on 17,201 patients, addressing reasons for referral, treatment goals (in terms of impairments and disabilities), and physical therapy interventions. Patients treated with ultrasound (n=3,959) were compared with a reference group of patients who were not treated with ultrasound (n=13,242). Results. Physical therapists applied ultrasound for soft tissue injuries of recent onset, mainly aiming to reduce pain and swelling. Ultrasound was used in all phases of treatment and was not restricted to the first 3 weeks of treatment. Ultrasound was combined relatively infrequently with exercise and relatively frequently with massage. Conclusion and Discussion. Regarding the indications for referral and treatment goals chosen, the actual use of ultrasound corresponds to assumptions about expected use. The timing of its application and the combination with other forms of therapy do not correspond in all aspects to the assumptions made. [Roebroeck ME, Dekker J, Oostendorp RAB. The use of therapeutic ultrasound by physical therapists in Dutch primary health care. Phys Ther. 1998;78:470-478.]
Key Words: Appropriate care, ICIDH, Physical therapy, Survey research, Ultrasound.
Ultrasound is an intervention that is frequently used by physical therapists. In the northeastern United States, 64% of physical therapists use ultrasound at least once per day.1 In private physical therapy practices in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, this percentage is 93%.2 In physical therapy clinics of National Health Service hospitals in the United Kingdom, 20% of the episodes of care include ultrasound, and this percentage is 54% in private physical therapy practices.34 In the Netherlands, primary care physical therapists are obligated to have a therapeutic ultrasound device,5 and ultrasound is used in 17% of all episodes of care.6
The surveys mentioned here describe general trends in the use of ultrasound in physical therapy practices, such as conditions treated with ultrasound,34 availability of ultrasound devices, and adequacy of training in the use of this form of therapy.1,2 More specific information on practice patterns (eg, addressing treatment goals that physical therapists pursue with ultrasound and timing of its application in the...