Developing minimum clinical standards for physiotherapy in South African intensive care units: the nominal group technique in action. Issue 1 (29th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hanekom, Susan; Van Aswegen, Helena; Plani, Natascha; Patman, Shane
• Is Part Of: Journal of evaluation in clinical practice. Volume 21:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2014-09-29
• Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1111/jep.12257
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-1294

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jep12257-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Rationale, aims and objectives</title> <p>Physiotherapists form an important part of the inter‐professional team that cares for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU). No formalized clinical practice guidelines or standards exist for the educational profile or scope of practice requirements for physiotherapy within critical care, which poses a threat to physiotherapy practice and professional credibility.</p> </sec> <sec id="jep12257-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The aim of this paper was to describe the nominal group technique (NGT) used to identify the minimum standards of clinical practice needed by physiotherapists to ensure safe and independent practice in South African ICUs.</p> </sec> <sec id="jep12257-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Twenty‐five subjects participated in one of three forums. Sixty‐six concepts were considered in the three domains (<italic>knowledge</italic>, <italic>skills</italic> and <italic>attitudes</italic>). Not all concepts were discussed by all three focus groups. Just over half (54% <italic>n</italic> = 14) the concepts generated in the knowledge domain; a third of the concepts (35% <italic>n</italic> = 7) generated in the skills domain and only 10% (<italic>n</italic> = 2) of attitudes were consistently raised by all three groups. Almost two‐thirds of the concepts generated (62% <italic>n</italic> = 41) were considered in more than one domain. Only six concepts reached the threshold consensus level across all three focus groups, four <italic>knowledge</italic> parameters and two <italic>skills</italic>.</p> </sec> <sec id="jep12257-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The NGT allowed for the cross‐stimulation of ideas in an engaging yet anonymous and structured manner. The importance of discussion in reaching consensus is highlighted. Going forward, it is intended to use the concepts generated through this process as the foundation for further consensus‐building activities among the wider physiotherapy and intensive care communities.</p> </sec> </abstract>