Abstract
Study Design
Descriptive research.
Introduction/Purpose
Survey research was performed to determine if there is a perceived difference in outcomes
of patients referred to hand therapy from specialized hand surgeons vs nonspecialized
physicians.
Methods
The survey was administered to members of the American Society of Hand Therapists
through an electronic mailing.
Results
A total of 744 American Society of Hand Therapists members responded to the survey.
Therapists reported a difference in recovery time between patients referred by a hand
surgeon vs a nonspecialized physician. Sixty-seven percent (n = 490) of the respondents answered yes and 12% (n = 84) answered no.
Discussion
It is important to consider that not all hand patients receive treatment from a specialized
hand surgeon and that a specialized hand therapist may be an integral team member
for patients who have not received specialized care from their referral source.
Conclusion
Most hand therapists who responded to this survey believe that there is a difference
in outcomes of patients referred to hand therapy from specialized hand surgeons vs
nonspecialized physicians.
Level of Evidence
Level 3.
Keywords
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References
- Severe camptodactyly: a systematic surgeon and therapist collaboration.J Hand Ther. 2015; 28: 167-175
- Patient-centered care and distal radius fracture outcomes: a prospective cohort study analysis.J Hand Ther. 2014; 27: 177-183
- Client satisfaction of hand therapy intervention: an evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy for clients recovered from complex regional pain syndrome.Can J Plast Surg. 2008; 16: 27-35
- Therapists, trainers, and acupuncturists: focused review for the orthopedic surgeon.Orthopedics (Online). 2015; 38: e1121-e1126
- Clinical decision making and therapist’s autonomy in the context of flexor tendon rehabilitation.J Hand Ther. 2008; 21: 254-260
- Questions hand therapists ask about treatment of Tendon injuries.J Hand Ther. 2005; 18: 313-318
- Patient versus injury factors as predictors of pain and disability six months after a distal radius fracture.J Clin Epidemiol. 2002; 55: 849-854
- Factors that influence the clinical decision making of novice and experienced physical therapists.Phys Ther. 2011; 91: 87-101
- A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing occupational therapy with independent exercises after volar plate fixation of a fracture of the distal part of the radius.J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2011; 93: 1761-1766
- A prospective randomized comparison of neoprene vs thermoplast hand-based thumb spica splinting for trapeziometacarpal arthrosis.Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2013; 21: 668-675
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JHT Read for Credit
Quiz: #492
Record your answers on the Return Answer Form found on the tear-out coupon at the back of this issue or to complete online and use a credit card, go to JHTReadforCredit.com. There is only one best answer for each question.
- #1.The purpose of the study was to determine if therapists felt
- a.outcomes were not influenced by the referral source
- b.they should limit their practice to patients referred by hand surgeons
- c.outcomes were different in patients referred by hand surgeons than those referred by non hand surgeons
- d.their services were more valued by hand surgeons than by general orthopedic surgeons
- a.
- #2.The survey was responded to by approximately
- a.775 ASHT members
- b.500 CHTs
- c.1000 OTRs and PTs in the US and UK
- d.450 OTRs in California
- a.
- #3.The external validity of many research studies may be artificially limited because
- a.most of the articles are not co-authored by hand therapists collaborating with hand surgeons
- b.most surgical journals are not peer reviewed
- c.only a small % of the data is generated by fellowship trained hand surgeons
- d.so much of the data is generated by large centers where the surgeons are fellowship trained hand surgeons
- a.
- # 4.What % of therapists reported they do not perform interventions with which they disagree
- a.95
- b.0
- c.20
- d.50
- a.
- #5.The data showed that the use of contemporary methods of communication (e.g. texting and smart phones) will improve the clarity of referrals and hence outcomes
- a.true
- b.false
- a.
When submitting to the HTCC for re-certification, please batch your JHT RFC certificates in groups of 3 or more to get full credit.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 09, 2017
Accepted:
February 9,
2017
Received in revised form:
December 11,
2016
Received:
September 4,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Hanley & Belfus, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
