Evaluation of support methods to promote the physiotherapeutic diagnosis assessment to physiotherapists

Aim : To evaluate the efficacy of two support methods – the sending out of a letter and an interview – to promote the physiotherapeutic diagnosis assessment to physiotherapists. Method : Randomised study including physiotherapists from five geographic zones (Bordeaux, Lille, Metz, Nancy and Rennes) divided into three groups (control, letter group, group with interview at practice) each including a population of 100. Constitution of groups from January to March 2004, sending of letters and interviews from March to May 2004, evaluation of the impact of the actions in October 2004. The evaluation concerned the quality of completion of the physiotherapeutic diagnosis assessment summary form following treatment for an ankle sprain. The criteria used were the four indicators recommended by the Agence nationale d'accréditation et d'évaluation en santé (ANAES - French national agency for healthcare accreditation and evaluation): oedema, pain, flexion and stability. Results : The numbers included for measurement of the impact were 70 for the control group, 67 for the letter group and 58 for the interview group. The percentages of forms received from these three groups were, respectively, 88.6 %, 89.6 % and 82.6 % (p = 0.47). With 34.5 % of the forms correctly filled in, the interview group differed from the control group (p < 0.001) and the letter group (p < 0.034). There was no difference between the control and letter groups. Conclusion : Based on the example of the physiotherapeutic diagnosis assessment used in ankle sprains, our study demonstrated that an interview could help to improve the quality of completion of this assessment.