Background: Objective physical assessment of patients with lumbar spondylosis involves plain film radiographs\n(PFR) viewing and interpretation by the radiologists. Physiotherapists also routinely assess PFR within the scope\nof their practice. However, studies appraising the level of agreement of physiotherapistsââ?¬â?¢ PFR interpretation with\nradiologists are not common in Ghana.\nMethod: Forty-one (41) physiotherapists took part in the cross-sectional survey. An assessment guide was developed\nfrom findings of the interpretation of three PFR of patients with lumbar spondylosis by a radiologist. The three PFR were\nselected from a pool of different radiographs based on clarity, common visible pathological features, coverage body\nsegments and short post production period. Physiotherapists were required to view the same PFR after which they\nwere assessed with the assessment guide according to the number of features identified correctly or incorrectly. The\nscore range on the assessment form was 0ââ?¬â??24, interpreted as follow: 0ââ?¬â??8 points (low), 9ââ?¬â??16 points (moderate) and\n17ââ?¬â??24 points (high) levels of agreement. Data were analyzed using one sample t-test and fisherââ?¬â?¢s exact test at a = 0.05.\nResults: The mean score of interpretation for the physiotherapists was 12.7 Ã?± 2.6 points compared to the radiologistââ?¬â?¢s\ninterpretation of 24 points (assessment guide). The physiotherapistsââ?¬â?¢ levels were found to be significantly associated\nwith their academic qualification (p = 0.006) and sex (p = 0.001). However, their levels of agreement were not\nsignificantly associated with their age group (p = 0.098), work settings (p = 0.171), experience (p = 0.666), preferred PFR\nview (p = 0.088) and continuing education (p = 0.069).\nConclusions: The physiotherapistsââ?¬â?¢ skills fall short of expectation for interpreting PFR of patients with lumbar\nspondylosis. The levels of agreement with radiologistââ?¬â?¢s interpretation have no link with year of clinial practice,\nage, work settings and continuing education. Thus, routine PFR viewing techniques should be made a priority\nin physiotherapistsââ?¬â?¢ continuing professional education.
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