Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: May | Volume: 7 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 127-133
Knowledge on Safer Patient Lifting Techniques among Physiotherapists
M.Vijayakumar1, Prachi Badlal2
1Professor, Dr D Y Patil College of Physiotherapy, Dr.D.Y.Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune.
2Dr D Y Patil College of Physiotherapy, Dr.D.Y.Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune
Corresponding Author: M.Vijayakumar
ABSTRACT
The concept of “Patient Safety” being the number one priority at Hospitals can reduce the emphasis on overall physiotherapist’s safety and health. Physiotherapists need to lift patients at various places in their practice and should have a good knowledge about musculoskeletal injuries, its prevention, but still there is incidence of injuries in them during lifting. The objective of this study was to relate and evaluate the perceptual and actual knowledge of the physiotherapists on patient lifting techniques. Method: A non –experimental study design with cross -sectional survey was adopted with a sample size of 100 physiotherapists who have completed their Bachelor of Physiotherapy were included in this study over a period of 4 months. A validated questionnaire having 3 section: demographic data, experience of lifting and its consequence and lastly questions assessing the knowledge of lifting technique was given to the physiotherapists in their free time which was to be completed in 15 minutes. Results: The study revealed that the knowledge was less but the perception rate was high. Most of the physiotherapists were aware of proper lifting technique but very less of them were properly practicing the technique in their professional practice. 96% of physiotherapists said that they are aware of safer patient lifting techniques the analysis showed it was less. Conclusion: Physiotherapists are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to improper patient lifting techniques. Safe patient handling techniques will try to reduce the injury and will improve the quality of rehabilitation.
Key words: Patient lifting techniques, lifting strategies, safety transfer, physiotherapist, Patient, WMSDs,