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Developing minimum clinical standards for physiotherapy in S outh A frican intensive care units: the nominal group technique in action
Author(s) -
Hanekom Susan,
Van Aswegen Helena,
Plani Natascha,
Patman Shane
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of evaluation in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.737
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2753
pISSN - 1356-1294
DOI - 10.1111/jep.12257
Subject(s) - credibility , focus group , scope (computer science) , scope of practice , nominal group technique , clinical practice , action (physics) , medicine , intensive care , domain (mathematical analysis) , psychology , medical education , nursing , health care , knowledge management , computer science , political science , mathematical analysis , physics , mathematics , marketing , quantum mechanics , intensive care medicine , law , business , programming language
Rationale, aims and objectives Physiotherapists form an important part of the inter‐professional 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 S outh A frican 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.