Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and experience of palliative care amongst South African physiotherapists.

Only 303 of 3609 invited members completed the survey, and 14 were excluded, leaving 289 analysed, so the findings may not represent all South African physiotherapists. Participants were recruited from a society membership database, and most respondents worked in private practice, which may create selection bias. The intended sample size of 347 was not reached, although the achieved sample gave a 5.35% margin of error. The adapted scale had been tested for reliability but was still being validated, so domain scores should be read cautiously. The study used self-reported experiences, attitudes and knowledge at one time, so it cannot show that training caused better knowledge or attitudes. The association between years qualified and attitudes was measured at one time, so it cannot show that experience caused attitudes to worsen. Some scale results are based on 234 respondents, not the full 289 analysed. No conclusions can be made about the university departments that did not respond.

Do not read these results as a picture of all South African physiotherapists. The survey reached only Society members, had an 8.4% response rate, and most respondents worked in private practice.