The Scottish physiotherapy clinical effectiveness network: Supporting clinical effectiveness activity?

Abstract

Purpose

Physiotherapists throughout the UK have a professional obligation to keep up to date and practice effectively. The Scottish Physiotherapists Clinical Effectiveness Network (SPCEN) was established in 1999 with the aim of providing a mechanism through which physiotherapists could share and learn from experiences, avoid duplication of effort and undertake proactive activities. The purpose of this paper is to report on the experience of the SPCEN and provide an evaluation of the impact the network has made on the clinical effectiveness activities of physiotherapists throughout Scotland.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was distributed to 2,118 physiotherapists across Scotland (response rate of 54.5 per cent). It aimed to determine the level of clinical effectiveness activity, the confidence of physiotherapists in engaging in these activities and the extent of involvement with clinical guideline implementation.

Findings

Results were analysed in two groups. Group 1 consisted of those that reported that they did participate in network activities (40 per cent n=330) and Group 2, those who did not (60 per cent n=686). Participants were significantly more engaged in undertaking a range of clinical effectiveness activities than non‐participants (p<0.0001), had greater confidence in their own ability to engage and were involved in the implementation of clinical guidelines to a greater extent (p<0.0001).

Practical implications

Establishing the SPCEN has resulted in more confident physiotherapists who are engaging in greater levels of clinical effectiveness activity throughout Scotland.

Originality/value

This paper provides the reader with an indication of the value networks can achieve.

Citation

Holdsworth, L.K., Blair, V.A. and Miller, J. (2005), "The Scottish physiotherapy clinical effectiveness network: Supporting clinical effectiveness activity?", Clinical Governance: An International Journal, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 148-164. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777270510594326