32          SA JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 2002 VOL 58 NO 2

(Fowler 1969, Rogers 1976, Basmajian
1977). Powers and Knapp (1995) have
described research as a systematic
process of investigation, with the pur-
pose of contributing to the body of
knowledge, that would shape and guide
academic and / or clinical disciplines.
Research can broadly be divided into
basic and applied investigations. Basic
research is intended to increase the
understanding of the course of function
being studied, while applied research
may be referred to as clinical research 
or trials which are concerned with apply-
ing or gaining knowledge in practice
(Currier, 1979).  Research leads to revi-
sion of accepted conclusions in the light
of newly discovered facts.  Such findings
should change practice accordingly
(Smeitzer and Hindshaw, 1986).  The

ABSTRACT: Research is a major tool in updating professional 
knowledge and discovering of new techniques.  The relevance of
research to Physiotherapy in this era of evidence-based practice cannot
be over-emphasised.  This survey was carried out to investigate: a) the
level of participation of Kuwait based clinical physical therapists (CPTs)
in research (b) their research beliefs and (c) factors enhancing or 
hindering their participation in research.

One hundred and five CPTs from seven Ministry of Health (MOH)
Hospitals were surveyed, using a 21 - item structured questionnaire.
Ninety-six of the 105 questionnaire forms were returned, 87 (90.6%) of
which were complete.  The results showed that 71 (81.6%) of the participants agreed that CPTs should engage 
in research and 79 (90.8%) believed that research would enhance practice.  While 75 (86.2%) claimed that reading
Physiotherapy journals has enhanced their practice, only 34 (39.1%) had ever participated in any research since 
qualifying as a basic physiotherapist. Only 6(6.9%) had scientific publications in professional journals and 34
(39.1%) were regularly subscribing to professional journals.  Five factors were identified as hindrances to research.
These were poor library facilities (80.4%), time constraints (86.2%), lack of research funds (74.7%), lack of equip-
ment (71.3%) and lack of pre-requisite training in research activities (44.8%).

From the results obtained in this survey, it can be inferred that the level of participation of Kuwait - based CPTs in
research is very low.  Thus, implying that clinical observations are not being validated through research.  Acquisition
of new knowledge and updating on existing/methods/techniques through the reading of professional Journals is low. 

KEY WORDS:  RESEARCH, PHYSIOTHERAPY, CLINICAL PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, BELIEF, ATTITUDE.

BELIEF AND PARTICIPATION
WITH CLINICAL PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

IN RESEARCH

HAMZAT TK,
B.Sc. (Hons) Physiotherapy,

Ph.D, MNSP.1;
AMUSAT NT,

B.sc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MNSP.2

1
Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine,
University of Ibadan. Ibadan, Nigeria.

2
Department of Physiotherapy,In-patient Unit,
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitaion Hospital, Kuwait.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:
N.T Amusat

P.O. Box 6432,
Hawally.

Kuwait 32039.
Tel: 965-4892107,

Cell phone: 965-6097974
E-mail:sepet69@hotmail.com

R E S E A R C H
A R T I C L E

INTRODUCTION
Physiotherapy is rapidly evolving as a
profession with distinct autonomy, iden-
tity and a knowledge base.  Flourishing
research activities are one reason for 
the observed feeling of autonomy and
identity (Crosbie ,2000).  It is therefore
not surprising that research and its publi-
cation are increasingly emphasised,
though these had long been realized

total benefit of research comes when its
findings are published in a scholarly
journal.  Though hand-to-hand transmis-
sion of research is possible, publications
allows for critical review and prevent
disreputable ad-hoc use (Parry, 1994).

It has been suggested that physical
therapy clinicians do not participate in
research like their academic counter-
parts.  A situation that may be due to 
the fact that most clinical positions do
not have research as part of their job
descriptions (Crosbie, 2000), unlike aca-
demics who need research publications
for career advancement.  This argument
however may be based on conjecture, as
there is a dearth of information on the
participation level of clinical and aca-
demic physical therapists in research
activities, especially in Kuwait.  This



SA JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 2002 VOL 58 NO 2          33

cross-sectional survey study was carried
out to:
i) investigate the level of participation

of Kuwait-based clinical physical
therapists (CPTs) in research,

ii)  study their beliefs about research;
and 

iii) identify factors that could be facili-
tating or hindering their participa-
tion in research activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Subjects:
A convenient sample comprising all
CPTs working in seven randomly selected
Ministry of Health Hospitals and the
Kuwait-Dalhousie Physiotherapy Center
participated in the study.  The hospitals
were general and specialist clinical 
centres.  The scientific committee of
Kuwait’s Office of Physiotherapy
Affairs, approved the study.

Materials:  
The instrument used for data collection
was a 21 item structured close-ended 
questionnaire.  The questionnaire, which
was pilot-tested was divided into two
segments.  Section A sought demographic
information about the respondents as
well as information about their research
and publication history.  Section B com-
prised eleven close-ended statements
aimed at seeking information on beliefs
and attitude of respondents to research
and factors hindering and or facilitating
their participation in research studies.
Respondents were asked to indicate
their agreement or otherwise with the
eleven statements, by checking “Agree”
or “Disagree” as appropriate.  The ques-
tionnaire forms were hand-distributed
and collected by the second author
(NTA). Only the completed forms 
were used for the data analysis.  Data
obtained were analysed using descrip-
tive statistics.

RESULTS
A total of 96 out of 105 distributed 
questionnaire forms were retrieved and
87 (90.6%) were completed by the 
respondents and included in the study. 
Forty-six (52.8%) were Kuwaitis and
the others 41 (47.2%) were of different
nationalities.  Their years of experience
ranged from 3 to 35, with a median of 7

years. Twenty-eight (32.2%) had higher
degrees (Postgraduate diploma, PG certi-
ficate and Master’s degree).  The research
activities of the clinicians are shown in
Table 1.  The data obtained showed that
41.4% of the clinicians submitted disser-
tations in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for their basic physiothe-
rapy degree.  Only 39.1% of them had
ever carried out any research work since
basic qualification and 6.9% had publi-
cations in scientific journals.  Although
86.2% of our respondents claimed that
reading professional journals enhanced
their clinical practice, only 39.1% were
regularly subscribing to professional
journals.  Table 2 summarizes the 

belief about research, and attitude
towards research activities among the
respondents.  The various militating 
factors against research are given in
Table 3.

DISCUSSION
Research is important in widening the
underlying and unique knowledge base
of a profession, demonstrating the effec-
tiveness and scientific merit of the
knowledge base, and in developing a
more distinct identify for the profession
(Robertson, 1995).  This study has shown
the attitude of Kuwait-based CPTs
towards research, and the level of their
participation in research activities.

Table 1: Research Activities’ Profile

Yes No

n % n %

1. Research training and dissertation at
undergraduate level 36 41.4 51 58.6

2. Post-basic research work 34 39.1 53 60.9

3. Publication in professional journal 6 6.9 81 93.1

4. Regular subscription in profession
journal 34 39.1 53 60.9

5. Benefits from reading professional
journal 75 86.2 12 13.8

Table 2: Belief About Participation In Research

Agree Disagree

n % n %

1. Clinicians should engage in research 71 81.6 15 17.3

2. Research would enhance clinical practice 79 90.8 8 9.2

3. Research is for academics only 30 34.5 57 65.5

4. Clinicians should carry out research 37 42.5 50 57.5

5. Research reports use language different
from routine clinical language 49 56.3 38 43.7

Table 3: Factors Militating Against Research

Agree Disagree

n % n %

1. Lack of equipment 62 71.3 25 28.7

2. Poor library facilities 70 80.4 17 19.6

3. Lack of research facilities 65 74.7 22 25.3

4. Time constraints 75 86.2 12 13.8

5. Lack of pre-requisite training 39 44.8 48 55.2



34          SA JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 2002 VOL 58 NO 2

Although not all the questionnaire
forms distributed to the sampled CPTs
were retrieved, the number returned and
completed gave a return rate of 93%
constituting about one third of the total
number of CPTs in all Ministry of
Health Hospitals in Kuwait (Office of
Physiotherapy Affairs, 2001).  The
results showed that years of post-basic
qualification experience of the respon-
dents varied highly (three to 35 years)
and this implies a well mixed sample 
in terms of level of experience.  Only a
third had a post-basic degree certificate
or diploma.  This may be a reflection of
how much opportunity for postgraduate
training was available to the CPTs 
surveyed.  It could also be an indication
of their lack of interest in pursing higher
degrees, especially in situations where
academic qualification(s) may not neces-
sarily translate to better condition of 
services, or promotions.  More than half
of those who claimed to have submitted
dissertations at the basic qualification
levels had engaged in research activities.
It was clear therefore that undergraduate
research  work didn’t translate to a 
post-qualification research habit in the
respondents surveyed.  The percentage
of respondents with publications in 
professional journals was very low.  The
non-availability of local journals where
research work could be published may
be a contributing factor. The majority of
the respondents were of the opinion that
CPTs should engage in research activi-
ties, as these would enhance clinical
practice. Despite this belief only a small
percentage had every engaged in research.
This is in line with the observation of
Crosbie (2000), that despite the recog
nition for the need of scientific evidence
to support our practice, relatively little is
done to support research.  He concluded
that CPTs should see research as a duty
and a legitimate part of clinical practice,
rather than a threat to ward off.  Time
constraints, poor library facilities, lack
of research facilities and equipment were
identified as hindrances to participation
in research.  Some of the CPTs also
believed that if taken through research
training, they would research effectively.
Lack of research training (Lobindo
Wood and Haben, 1986) and poor access
to library facilities (Sheehan, 1986) have

been documented in studies involving
the nursing profession.  Time constraint
as a hindrance to research could be an 
indication of a large clinical workload 
or a problem with time management on
the part of the surveyed CPTs.  Neither
of these reasons could be confirmed
from the results of this study.  From the
results obtained in this study, it could be
concluded that there is a low participa-
tion level in research activities amongst
the Kuwait-based CPTs surveyed. It was
also observed that a significantly low
proportion of therapists in this study 
had publications in scientific and profes-
sional journals.

RECOMMENDATIONS
a) Clinical physical therapists in Kuwait

should increase their research acti-
vities and publish their research 
findings.  This could be enhanced by
collaboration between the universi-
ty faculty members and CPTs in
Kuwait.

b) Necessary facilities such as library
materials, research funding, research
equipment and in-service research
training should be made available to
the CPTs in order to enhance their
research practice.

REFERENCES

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Crosbie J 2000 Physiotherapy research: 
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Currier D P 1979 Elements of Research 
in Physiotherapy.  Baltimore, Williams and
Wilkins Company.

Fowler (Jr) W M 1969 Physical therapy and
Research.  Physical Therapy 49(9): 977 - 982

Kuwait Office of Physiotherapy Affairs 2001
Data on file

Lobindo-Wood G, Haber J 1986 Nursing
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Parry  A 1994 The golden heresy of truth.
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Power B A, Knapp T R 1995 A Dictionary of
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Rogers S 1976 A role for Physiotherapists in
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Sheehan J 1986 Nursing research in Britain.
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