Sports Physiotherapy Competencies
The main aim of the SportsComp project was to define and update the competencies of sports physiotherapists. The specific focus was on updating the international sports physiotherapy competency profile to align with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level 7, enhancing the education and professional standards of sports physiotherapists globally.
A two-part research programme comprising a Delphi study, focus groups and interviews was employed. The Delphi study (Section 3) sought consensus by gathering input from experts worldwide. In the first round, 197 individuals from 32 member organisations of the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT) and six non-IFSPT countries participated. The study analysed responses from 146 participants, achieving a 74.11% response rate. Key themes identified included interdisciplinary collaboration, athlete-centred approaches, evidence-based practice, comprehensive assessments, and continuous learning. Consensus was reached on most competencies, but discrepancies remained on 26 items, which were re-evaluated in the second round. The second round involved 116 participants, achieving a 79.5% response rate, and resolving all but 13 competencies.
The thematic analysis of the competencies covered four main areas: injury prevention, acute intervention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. Key themes for injury prevention included interdisciplinary collaboration, athlete-centred approaches, evidence-based prevention programmes, and comprehensive assessments, and health promotion. Acute intervention competencies emphasised protecting athlete information, decision-making in emergency situations, and recognising professional limits. Rehabilitation competencies highlighted the importance of an athlete-centred approach, interdisciplinary collaboration, continuous education, and evidence-based practice. Performance enhancement competencies focused on recognising professional limits, individualised training programmes, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The focus groups and interview studies (Section 4) explored the role of sports physiotherapists in sports and health systems. Three focus groups and eight in-depth interviews were conducted to gather expert, end-user, and stakeholder perspectives and insights. The analysis highlights the importance of having a specific competency profile for sports physiotherapists, which should encompass both theoretical and practical knowledge. Key competencies identified included diagnosing injuries, conducting clinical examinations, understanding the return-to-play process, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and effective communication. Additionally, soft skills such as cultural competence, empathy, adaptability, and leadership were identified as essential.
A consensus meeting (Section 5) was conducted to finalise the competencies based on the results. Representatives from the project partners participated in the meeting with the goal of addressing any remaining discrepancies from the Delphi study and ensuring that the final competency profile was comprehensive and aligned with global standards. During the meeting, participants reviewed the data, discussed thematic insights, and integrated feedback to refine the competency descriptions. As a result of the consensus meeting, a final set of updated competencies was established to meet the current needs and expectations of the sports physiotherapy profession.
Should we add DelphI study, focus group interview and consus meeting methods and results part also or its enough with this general overview?
The results of this research underscore the multifaceted nature of sports physiotherapy and the importance of continuous professional development. This competency framework serves as a foundation for developing innovative e-learning courses and teaching materials. The findings contribute significantly to the SportsComp project's objective of enhancing the quality of sports physiotherapy education and professional standards across Europe and beyond.
