Perceived Confidence to Interpret Diagnostic Imaging: The Bahamian Physiotherapists' Perspective

ABSTRACT Objective: This study explored Bahamian physiotherapists' perception of the usefulness of radiologic imaging in physiotherapy practice and evaluated their self-reported level of confidence in viewing and interpreting these images. The associations among their academic qualifications, sector of practice and confidence were also examined. Methods: Ethical approval was granted by the University Hospital of the West Indies (UWI/FMS) Ethics Committee and the local hospitals in Nassau, Bahamas. Practicing physiotherapists were invited to participate. Physiotherapy interns, retired physiotherapists and workers designated as physiotherapy assistants/aids were excluded. Only the physiotherapists who gave their consent participated in the study. Results: There was a 75% response rate. Most of the respondents held the Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy as their highest academic qualification. The respondents agreed that it is essential for physiotherapists to know how to view and interpret medical imaging. The majority of them reported confidence in interpreting plain X-rays (97%, n = 29). Those with postgraduate qualifications were likely to report greater confidence. Those in private practice were more likely to report confidence with computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), and bone scans while those in public practice were most likely to be more confident with X-rays. Most of the respondents expressed a need for more training in the viewing and interpretations of neurological imaging (86.7%, n = 26), US (50%, n = 15), MRI (63.3%, n = 19), and CT scans (43.3%, n = 13). Conclusion: Overall, the results demonstrated that physiotherapists in the Bahamas perceived it essential for physiotherapists to know how to view and interpret medical imaging and that their confidence in interpreting such imaging varied. The 30 physiotherapists expressed the need for further training of physiotherapists.

Anxiety in Late Life: The Experience of Jamaican Urban Community Dwelling Older Adults / La Ansiedad en la Postrimería de la Vida: Experiencia de los Adultos Mayores Residentes en la Comunidad Urbana Jamaicana

ABSTRACT Objective: This study evaluated Jamaican community dwelling older adults' levels of anxiety and the predictors of such anxiety. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, participants aged 65 years and over were selected from urban lower-middle and working-class communities. Data collection tools were the geriatric anxiety scale (GAS) and a demographic questionnaire. Using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The GAS data was skewed, hence a log transformation was performed to obtain a normal distribution prior to analysis. Cronbach's alpha indicated a high level of internal consistency for the GAS in this group of participants. Results: One hundred and fourteen persons participated in the study. Results overall showed a low level of anxiety (GAS mean score = 9.2 ± 8.3). Persons who were female (p = 0.01), had primary level education only (p = 0.02), unemployed (p = 0.01), were lonely (p = 0.00) and had poor relationships with their adult children (p = 0.05) had higher mean GAS scores, indicating higher levels of anxiety. Predictor variables for anxiety were identified as, loneliness, gender and education. Together, these variables predicted 23% of the variability in GAS scores (R2 = 0.233, R = 0.48, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Anxiety levels are low in Jamaican older adults. Females with primary level education who are lonely are at greatest risk. Investigation of other factors such as religion is necessary, as the factors explored in this study, accounted for only 23% of the variance in GAS scores.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El presente estudio evaluó los niveles de ansiedad y los predictores de dicha ansiedad en los adultos mayores residentes en la comunidad urbana jamaicana. Métodos: Para este estudio transversal, se eligieron participantes de 65 años o más de comunidades urbanas de clase media baja y clase trabajadora. Los instrumentos de la recolección de datos fueron la Escala de Ansiedad Geriátrica (EAG) y un cuestionario demográfico. Utilizando el paquete estadístico para las ciencias sociales (SPSS), se analizó el conjunto de datos mediante estadísticas descriptivas e inferenciales. Los datos de EAG eran asimétricos. Por lo tanto, se realizó una transformación logarítmica con el propósito de obtener una distribución normal antes del análisis. El Alfa de Cronbach indicó un alto nivel de consistencia interna para EAG en este grupo de participantes. Resultados: Ciento catorce personas participaron en el estudio. Los resultados en general mostraron un bajo nivel de ansiedad (puntuación promedio de EAG = 9.2 ± 8.3). Las mujeres (p = 0.01), los que tenían sólo nivel de educación primaria (p = 0.02), los desempleados (p = 0.01), los que estaban solos (p = 0.00), y los que tenían malas relaciones con sus hijos adultos (p = 0.05), tuvieron puntuaciones promedio de EAG más altas, indicando niveles más altos de ansiedad. Se identificaron variables predictoras de ansiedad como la soledad, el género y la educación. En conjunto, estas variables predijeron el 23% de la variabilidad en las puntuaciones de EAG (R2 = 0.233, R = 0.48, p = 0.04). Conclusión: Los niveles de ansiedad son bajos en los adultos mayores jamaicanos. Las mujeres con nivel de educación primaria que están solas presentan un mayor riesgo. Se necesita la investigación de otros factores tales como la religión, ya que los factores explorados en este estudio representaron solamente el 23% de la variación en las puntuaciones de EAG.

Factors associated with academic performance of physical therapy students / Factores asociados con el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes de terapia física

Understanding the pre-matriculation factors that influence academic success facilitates the recruitment and retention of students who are more likely to graduate on time. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with the academic performance of students enrolled in the physical therapy diploma programme. METHODS: Records of 250 students enrolled over a twenty-year period at the School of Physical Therapy were reviewed. Data were collected and organized using a data collection sheet. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Relationships between the independent variables: age, gender, marital status, work history and entry qualifications, and the dependent variables: academic performance (percentage of subjects passed at the first sitting of examinations and success in the Final Qualifying Examination), withdrawal and delayed graduation were examined using correlation coefficient, t-test, ANOVA and chi-square as appropriate. RESULTS: Results revealed that students gaining the minimum entry qualifications at one sitting of GCE O' Level/CXC examinations (p < 0.01) and who had GCE A' Level passes (p < 0.05) were less likely to withdraw from the programme. Students without prior work experience performed better during the course of study (p < 0.05) but the older and married students were more likely to withdraw (p < 0.01). Older students performed better on the Final Qualifying Practical and Theory Examinations taken at the end of the academic programme (p < 0.05) but had a lower percentage of subjects passed at the first sitting of course examinations (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Students with better academic preparation demonstrated better academic performance. These findings were consistent with prior studies in the field.

La comprensión de los factores de pre-matrícula que influyen en el éxito académico, facilita la captación y retención de los estudiantes que tienen mayor probabilidad de graduarse a tiempo. OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores asociados con el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes matriculados en el programa de diploma de terapia física. MÉTODOS: Se revisaron las historias de 250 estudiantes de la Escuela de Terapia Física, correspondientes a un período de 20 años. Los datos fueron recogidos y organizados mediante hojas de recogida de datos. Los datos fueron entonces analizados utilizando el llamado Paquete Estadístico para las Ciencias Sociales (SPSS). Utilizando el coeficiente de correlación, la prueba t, análisis de la varianza (ANOVA), y chi-cuadrado según fuera apropiado, se examinaron las relaciones entre las variables independientes de edad, género, estado civil, historia de trabajo y requisitos de ingreso, así como las variables dependientes: rendimiento académico (por ciento de asignaturas aprobadas en la primera convocatoria de exámenes y éxito en el examen de calificación final), abandono del curso, y graduación diferida. RESULTADOS: Los resultados revelaron que los estudiantes con las calificaciones mínimas de ingreso en los exámenes de CXC y de nivel GCE O (p < 0.01), y nivel GCE A aprobado (p < 0.05) presentaban una probabilidad menor de abandonar el programa. Los estudiantes con experiencia de trabajo anterior tuvieron un mejor desempeño durante el programa de estudios (p < 0.05), en tanto que los estudiantes casados o de mayor edad mostraron una mayor tendencia a abandonar los estudios (p < 0.01). Los estudiantes mayores tuvieron mejores resultados en el examen práctico de calificación final y los exámenes teóricos al final del programa académico (p < 0.05), pero tuvieron un por ciento menor de aprobados en la primera convocatoria de exámenes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIÓN: Los estudiantes con mejor preparación académica demostraron mejor rendimiento académico. Estos resultados concuerdan con estudios anteriores en este campo.