# Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Clinicians Towards Involvement of Physiotherapists in the Management of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Conditions: A Cross‐Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how much clinicians in Ghana know about and use physiotherapists for managing obstetrics and gynaecological conditions.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into clinicians' knowledge and practices regarding physiotherapy in Ghana.

## Key findings

- Clinicians have general knowledge of physiotherapists' roles but lack specific knowledge of treatable conditions.
- Physiotherapist services are not adequately utilized in clinical practice.
- Participants included a range of clinicians from different career levels in the OBGY department.

## Abstract

Delivery of holistic healthcare service is pivotal to achieving the World Health Organization's definition of health, hence the need to include the services of physiotherapists in the management of obstetrics and gynaecological conditions. The utilization of services of physiotherapists by attending clinicians depends largely on their attitude and knowledge of the crucial role physiotherapy plays in managing these conditions. The knowledge and attitudes of these clinicians on the involvement of physiotherapy in patient care in Ghana are unknown. The study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of clinicians in Ghana towards the role of physiotherapy in managing these conditions.

This was a cross‐sectional study undertaken among clinicians at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OBGY) Directorate of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. A total of 63 participants from the department were recruited for the study using convenience sampling within a period of 2 weeks. An adapted questionnaire from previous studies was used to collect data for the study. The data were entered into SPSS version 20 and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean).

The 63 study participants included 15 (23.8%) consultant obstetrician gynaecologists, 9 (14.3%) senior specialists in OBGY, 18 (28.6%) specialists, 15 (23.8%) residents in OBGY training, and 6 (9.5%) medical officers in the OBGY directorate. They all had a general knowledge of the role of physiotherapists in obstetrics and gynaecological practice. However, they had low knowledge of specific conditions that can be treated by physiotherapists. Participants also failed to adequately utilize the services of physiotherapists in their practice.

Clinicians in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Directorate at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital have general knowledge of the role of physiotherapists in obstetrics and gynaecological practice, but limited knowledge of specific conditions amenable to treatment by physiotherapists. Consequently, the services of physiotherapists in their practice were not adequately utilized.