Physiotherapy in Flemish Nursing Homes: Insights Into Practice, Barriers, and Facilitators

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating how well physiotherapy sessions in Flemish nursing homes follow the IAGG-GARN guidelines and what factors influence physiotherapists' clinical practices. The study focuses on multiple nursing homes across the provinces of Limburg, Antwerp, and Flemish Brabant to capture a variety of geographic and organizational settings. It aims to understand the content and volume differences in physiotherapy sessions and to identify challenges and supports physiotherapists face when applying these guidelines. The study involves observing routine physiotherapy sessions delivered by licensed physiotherapists in these nursing homes. Researchers will document session details such as content, duration, exercise type, use of equipment, supervision levels, intensity, and other factors over a two-week period using structured diaries. Participating physiotherapists will also join focus groups to discuss their experiences, barriers, facilitators, and decision-making related to guideline-based care. Participants will be monitored through direct observation and focus group discussions. The main outcome is the adherence to IAGG-GARN guidelines within two weeks. Secondary measures include detailed exercise descriptions, equipment use, group size, supervision level, exercise timing, rest periods, intensity, and contextual factors. The study is observational, with no treatments assigned, and aims to provide insights into real-world physiotherapy practices and guideline implementation in Flemish nursing homes.

Physiotherapy Practice in Flemish Nursing Homes