Article
Developing minimum clinical standards for physiotherapy in South African intensive care units: the nominal group technique in action
Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
(2014)
Abstract
Rationale, aims and objectives Physiotherapists form an important part of the interprofessional
team that cares for critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU). No
formalized clinical practice guidelines or standards exist for the educational profile or
scope of practice requirements for physiotherapy within critical care, which poses a threat
to physiotherapy practice and professional credibility.
Methods The aim of this paper was to describe the nominal group technique (NGT) used
to identify the minimum standards of clinical practice needed by physiotherapists to ensure
safe and independent practice in South African ICUs.
Results Twenty-five subjects participated in one of three forums. Sixty-six concepts were
considered in the three domains (knowledge, skills and attitudes). Not all concepts were
discussed by all three focus groups. Just over half (54% n = 14) the concepts generated in
the knowledge domain; a third of the concepts (35% n = 7) generated in the skills domain
and only 10% (n = 2) of attitudes were consistently raised by all three groups. Almost
two-thirds of the concepts generated (62% n = 41) were considered in more than one
domain. Only six concepts reached the threshold consensus level across all three focus
groups, four knowledge parameters and two skills.
Conclusion The NGT allowed for the cross-stimulation of ideas in an engaging yet
anonymous and structured manner. The importance of discussion in reaching consensus is
highlighted. Going forward, it is intended to use the concepts generated through this
process as the foundation for further consensus-building activities among the wider physiotherapy
and intensive care communities.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2014
DOI
10.1111/jep.12257
Citation Information
Hanekom, S., Van Aswegen, H., Plani, N., and Patman, S. (2014). Developing minimum clinical standards for physiotherapy in South African intensive care units: the nominal group technique in action. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 21(1), 118-127. DOI: 10.1111/jep.12257