An evaluation of the nature and level of musculoskeletal imaging training in physiotherapy educational programmes in Nigeria
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Date
2020
Authors
Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.
Umunnah, Joseph O.
Ezema, Charles I.
Balogun, Joseph A.
Uchenwoke, Chigozie I.
Nwankwo, Maduabuchukwu J.
Oke, Kayode I.
Bello, Bashir
Nwosu, Ifeoma B.
Adje, Mishael E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SpringerNature
Abstract
Background: Deficiency in musculoskeletal imaging (MI) education will pose a great challenge to physiotherapists
in clinical decision making in this era of first-contact physiotherapy practices in many developed and developing
countries. This study evaluated the nature and the level of MI training received by physiotherapists who graduate
from Nigerian universities.
Methods: An online version of the previously validated Physiotherapist Musculoskeletal Imaging Profiling
Questionnaire (PMIPQ) was administered to all eligible physiotherapists identified through the database of the
Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board of Nigeria. Data were obtained on demographics, nature, and level of
training on MI procedures using the PMIPQ. Logistic regression, Friedman’s analysis of variance (ANOVA) and
Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for the statistical analysis of collected data.
Results: The results (n = 400) showed that only 10.0% of the respondents had a stand-alone entry-level course in
MI, 92.8% did not have any MI placement during their clinical internship, and 67.3% had never attended a MI
workshop. There was a significant difference in the level of training received across MI procedures [χ
2 (15) =
1285.899; p = 0.001]. However, there was no significant difference in the level of MI training across institutions of
entry-level programme (p = 0.36). The study participants with transitional Doctor of Physiotherapy education were
better trained in MI than their counterparts with a bachelor’s degree only (p = 0.047).
Conclusions: Most physiotherapy programmes in Nigeria did not include a specific MI module; imaging
instructions were mainly provided through clinical science courses. The overall self-reported level of MI training
among the respondents was deficient. It is recommended that stand-alone MI education should be introduced in
the early part of the entry-level physiotherapy curriculum.
Description
Open access article. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0) applies
Keywords
Clinical decision making , Curriculum , Diagnostics imaging , Doctor of physical therapy , Education , Musculoskeletal system , Physiotherapy , Nigeria
Citation
Onyeso, O. K., Umunnah, J. O., Ezema, C. I., Balogun, J. A., Uchenwoke, C. I., Nwankwo, M. J., Oke, K. I., Bello, B., Nwosu, Ifeoma B., & Adje, M. E. (2020). An evaluation of the nature and level of musculoskeletal imaging training in physiotherapy educational programmes in Nigeria. BMC Medical Education, 20, Article 252. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02183-5