Influence of Neighborhood Walkability on Physical Therapists' Recommendations for Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Jennifer Blackwood, Hannah Karczewski
Primary Institution: University of Michigan
Hypothesis
Physical therapists' perceptions of neighborhood walkability influence their recommendations for outdoor walking for older adults.
Conclusion
Physical therapists showed a significant difference between their perceived responsibility to assess walkability and their actual assessment practices.
Supporting Evidence
- A total of 122 outpatient physical therapists were analyzed after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria.
- 64.8% of respondents prioritized the availability of sidewalks when prescribing outdoor walking.
- There was a significant difference in perceptions of responsibility to assess walkability versus actual assessment practices.
Takeaway
This study found that physical therapists often think they should check if neighborhoods are walkable, but many don't actually do it when helping older adults walk outside.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey was sent to 5000 physical therapists, and responses from 122 outpatient PTs were analyzed using Chi-square analyses.
Limitations
The study only included outpatient physical therapists working in geriatrics, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Outpatient physical therapists who work with older adults.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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