Disease-specific knowledge and clinical skills required by community-based physiotherapists to co-manage patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: While strong evidence supports the role of physiotherapy in the co-management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it remains unclear what constitutes the essential disease-specific knowledge and clinical skills required by community-based physiotherapists to effectively and safely deliver recommended care. This study aimed to identify essential disease-specific knowledge and skills, link these with evidence from clinical guidelines, and broadly determine the professional development (PD) needs and confidence related to the management of RA among physiotherapists. METHODS: An international Delphi panel of rheumatologists, physiotherapists, and consumers (n = 27) identified ..