A Study of Physiotherapy Migration Practice Pattern in Cancer Therapy: Examining Physiotherapy Practice Patterns and Migration in Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Physiotherapists contribute significantly to the maintenance of functional independence and quality of life among cancer patients through early intervention and community follow up. There is very little documentation of the extent to which physical therapists are involved in treating and managing persons with cancer-related functional deficits in India, though physiotherapists are compulsory to promote and maintain physical function. The study was designed to examine and describe existing physiotherapist practice patterns in cancer rehabilitation in South India. A descriptive study of 1120 randomly selected physiotherapists licensed and practicing in South India was conducted using the data gathering survey method. Upon approval of the institutional review board, e-mail surveys were forwarded to subjects with consent format and e-mail submissions were received. The returned usable surveys were 188 (18.13 percent ). 62.8 of the therapists reported treatment of people with a cancer history, and only 17.8 reported regular treatment of cancer patients. The most common patients had breast (75) cancer common treatments were home exercise and exercise (both 77.1), movement exercise range (68.6), chest clearance (64.6), enhancement and education (both 60.4), and stretching (56.3 percent ), Oversight methods consisted of cardiac velocity (58.3), blood pressure (54.2), pain scale, O2 (47.9) and perceived exercise rates (37.5), functional outcome measures include 6 minute walk test (41.7), quality of life (20.8), SF-36 (19.8), Functional Independence measurement (14.6 percent ). We found that very few physiotherapists practice only in South India in cancer care. Types of intervention were satisfactory during inconsistent monitoring and action on functional outcomes. In addition, a growing demand for physiotherapy in cancer care has not been met by many physical therapists working in cancer centers.