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The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of HIV-related sensory neuropathy: The perceptions and referral practices of physicians

BACKGROUND: HIV-related peripheral neuropathies are among the most prevalent chronic neurological disorders affecting persons living with HIV and AIDS. In order to improve the physical function and quality of life of those affected by the disease, a holistic or multidisciplinary approach, including...

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Autores principales: Steyl, Tania, Shayo, Felista T.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: AOSIS OpenJournals 2015
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6093136/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30135881
http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v71i1.286
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author Steyl, Tania
Shayo, Felista T.
author_facet Steyl, Tania
Shayo, Felista T.
author_sort Steyl, Tania
collection PubMed
description BACKGROUND: HIV-related peripheral neuropathies are among the most prevalent chronic neurological disorders affecting persons living with HIV and AIDS. In order to improve the physical function and quality of life of those affected by the disease, a holistic or multidisciplinary approach, including physiotherapy, has been suggested for the management of neuropathic pain. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the physicians’ perceptions regarding the role of physiotherapy in the management of patients with HIV-sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) and their referral practices in Tanzania. METHODS: A qualitative study design incorporating purposive sampling was employed in the study. A total of 10 physicians from a hospital in Tanzania agreed to participate in in-depth interviews. RESULTS: Physicians had poor perceptions of the role of physiotherapy in the management of patients with HIV-SN. Their inadequate knowledge of the role of physiotherapy and the limited number of physiotherapists employed negatively influenced their referral of patients with HIV-SN for physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: In Tanzania, referral for physiotherapy is still dependent on medical doctors. Inter-professional learning is imperative for minimising the stereotypes that may exist across professions, hence the need to improve awareness of specific roles in patient management. This could improve knowledge of the role of other professionals in the management and rehabilitation of affected patients and consequently improve perceptions and facilitate referrals of patients with HIV-SN for more integrated care.
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spelling pubmed-60931362018-08-22 The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of HIV-related sensory neuropathy: The perceptions and referral practices of physicians Steyl, Tania Shayo, Felista T. S Afr J Physiother Original Research BACKGROUND: HIV-related peripheral neuropathies are among the most prevalent chronic neurological disorders affecting persons living with HIV and AIDS. In order to improve the physical function and quality of life of those affected by the disease, a holistic or multidisciplinary approach, including physiotherapy, has been suggested for the management of neuropathic pain. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the physicians’ perceptions regarding the role of physiotherapy in the management of patients with HIV-sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) and their referral practices in Tanzania. METHODS: A qualitative study design incorporating purposive sampling was employed in the study. A total of 10 physicians from a hospital in Tanzania agreed to participate in in-depth interviews. RESULTS: Physicians had poor perceptions of the role of physiotherapy in the management of patients with HIV-SN. Their inadequate knowledge of the role of physiotherapy and the limited number of physiotherapists employed negatively influenced their referral of patients with HIV-SN for physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: In Tanzania, referral for physiotherapy is still dependent on medical doctors. Inter-professional learning is imperative for minimising the stereotypes that may exist across professions, hence the need to improve awareness of specific roles in patient management. This could improve knowledge of the role of other professionals in the management and rehabilitation of affected patients and consequently improve perceptions and facilitate referrals of patients with HIV-SN for more integrated care. AOSIS OpenJournals 2015-11-27 /pmc/articles/PMC6093136/ /pubmed/30135881 http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v71i1.286 Text en © 2015. The Authors http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ Licensee: AOSIS OpenJournals. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
spellingShingle Original Research
Steyl, Tania
Shayo, Felista T.
The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of HIV-related sensory neuropathy: The perceptions and referral practices of physicians
title The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of HIV-related sensory neuropathy: The perceptions and referral practices of physicians
title_full The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of HIV-related sensory neuropathy: The perceptions and referral practices of physicians
title_fullStr The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of HIV-related sensory neuropathy: The perceptions and referral practices of physicians
title_full_unstemmed The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of HIV-related sensory neuropathy: The perceptions and referral practices of physicians
title_short The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of HIV-related sensory neuropathy: The perceptions and referral practices of physicians
title_sort role of physiotherapy in the treatment of hiv-related sensory neuropathy: the perceptions and referral practices of physicians
topic Original Research
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6093136/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30135881
http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v71i1.286
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