Almost half of World Physiotherapy member organisations responded to a recent online survey about their national research priorities and agendas.
The survey is part of a World Physiotherapy project to develop a list of research priorities for the global profession.
The survey generated 86 responses from 62 member organisations (48% response rate), with some submitting more than one response.
While several World Physiotherapy member organisations have a research agenda or priority list in place, only a few have developed a list relevant to the national profession.
The World Physiotherapy research priorities project will:
- identify priority research areas for the global physiotherapy community
- provide strategic direction to areas where the profession may advance through expanding evidence and scientific inquiry
- inform decision making on requests to amplify/disseminate surveys and research findings.
Heidi Kosakowski, World Physiotherapy’s head of membership and policy, said: “Responses to the survey demonstrate our member organisations' engagement with this project and their interest to see World Physiotherapy develop a list of research priorities indicating priority research areas for the global physiotherapy community.
“The project will help us facilitate decision-making on requests to amplify/disseminate surveys and research findings, and we can use future iterations of our research priorities to mark advancements in global physiotherapy knowledge and scientific inquiry.
“The next stage of the project is to invite a small expert group, representing different World Physiotherapy regions and areas of research expertise, to help shape the research priorities list.”
This stage of the project will run until mid 2025.
