Dear Physiotherapy Colleague

Thank you for taking the time to consider participation in this worldwide survey on physiotherapy management of patients with major chest trauma. Research evidence to support the type of physiotherapy management strategies used for adult patients with major chest trauma is scarce. The existing evidence is primarily descriptive of physiotherapy service provision or investigates multidisciplinary approaches or interventions with little emphasis on specific physiotherapy strategies used. The purpose of this survey is to investigate the interventions and outcomes that physiotherapists use in the management of patients with major chest trauma in order to describe the global trend in physiotherapy management of such patients by expert clinicians.

Participation in this survey is voluntary and all information obtained will be anonymized prior to capturing of data and publication of findings. The electronic link to this survey will be active for three months and you will receive three reminders through the system to complete the survey before its closing date. This survey has been approved by the Human Research Ethics (Medical) committees of the University of the Witwatersrand (clearance number: M171117) and University of Cape Town (clearance number: 119/2018).

If you decide to partake in this survey, please take note of the following:

  • This survey should be completed by the senior physiotherapist of your trauma unit only. This person is the chief/main physiotherapist responsible for service delivery to patients who sustained traumatic injury. Only ONE survey per trauma centre should be completed.
  • This survey ONLY refers to adult (18 years or older) patients with major chest trauma.
  • Major chest trauma should be taken to mean (a minimum of) 3 or more rib fractures together with either pneumothorax, haemothorax or pulmonary contusion and requires management that consists of a minimum of oxygen therapy and pharmacological pain relief strategies.
  • You may discontinue your participation in this survey at any time without penalty.

Please complete the survey below.

Thank you!

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