The essential knowledge Japanese pediatric physical therapists should acquire for the successful application of lower extremity orthoses

  • Kusumoto Yasuaki
    Tokyo University of Technology, Division of Health Science, Department of Physical Therapy
  • Matsuda Tadamitsu
    Josai International University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy
  • Takaki Kenji
    Mejiro University, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Nitta Osamu
    Tokyo Metropolitan University, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences

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Abstract

[Purpose] This study identifies the knowledge that Japanese pediatric physical therapists (PTs) should acquire during their undergraduate studies and continuing education for the successful application of lower extremity orthoses. [Participants and Methods] The study included 104 PTs questionnaires. We asked: Do physical therapy professionals possess sufficient knowledge to apply orthoses? Do you think that orthoses are studied adequately during undergraduate education and in continuing education? The participants that replied “No” answered further questions about insufficient knowledge. [Results] Items addressed during undergraduate studies and continuing education, which were marked as lacking sufficient knowledge, accounted for 40% of responses. Half of the responses were related to items in the questions about physical therapy today such as: “Evaluating the gait while partially adjusting the orthoses” and “Laws on the manufacturing and repair of orthoses.” These items were also included in the questions about undergraduate studies and continuing education. [Conclusion] The findings suggest a need to enhance knowledge of gait evaluations and laws about lower extremity orthoses among Japanese pediatric PTs during their undergraduate studies and continuing education.

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