RTSS Adoption Into Physiotherapists Documentation

NCT07038694 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 12584
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 16
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

The Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) is a framework that aims to support clinicians in reasoning and documenting how to deliver rehabilitation. This was explored in a pilot study in 2023 that tested the feasibility of a 6-week teaching programme aiming to support the adoption of the RTSS into practise of physiotherapists and subsequently measure its effect on clinicians reasoning of treatment. Whilst clinical reasoning scores improved, adoption of the framework remained low. Interviews within this study revealed the difficulty clinicians experienced in transitioning to documenting the RTSS. Further local work within Guy's \& St Thomas NHS foundation trust (GSTT) resulted in modified integrations of the RTSS into electronic health record systems as well as training, yet adoption still remained limited. With documentation being cited as an influence of RTSS adoption and thus contributing to its clinical benefit, this qualitative study will attempt to make clear what factors facilitate and/or limit RTSS documentation adoption, and how they exert their influence. The findings from this study will inform the design of interventions that will aid future study of benefit of the RTSS on physiotherapy practice. To achieve these aims, interviews will be conducted virtually via MS Teams, by the lead researcher, with approximately 12-16 volunteering physiotherapists who have attempted to document the RTSS, within the site of GSTT. The interviews will last approximately 1 hour, and will be partially structured in nature to invite in-depth discussion of topic. Analyses of the data will be performed by a team of 3 clinical academics working between GSTT and King's College London with study findings to be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and at professional conferences

Conditions

Rehabilitation; Clinical Reasoning; Medical Record Documenation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Semi Structured qualitative Interview

  Semi structured qualitative interviews performed via MS Teams lasting up to 1 hour in duration

  From early July 2025 to end of July 2025

Study Arms (1)

Rehabilitation physiotherapy RTSS users

Physiotherapists will be recruited exclusively from the rehabilitation department of physiotherapy at Guy's and St Thomas' hospital,. Purposive, maximum variation sampling will be used to sample physiotherapists who have attempted adoption of RTSS into clinical notes. Applying Malterud et al's concept of information power suggests an estimated sample of 12-16 participants will be required, calculated from the study's narrow aim, the specificity of the sample with respect to the aim, the application of theory and encouragement of strong dialogue via an interviewer experienced in the subject. Purposive maximum variation sampling will ensure heterogeneity of clinical experience (Agenda for Change (AFC) bandings 3-8) to support diversity of perspectives and experiences for data analysis.

Other: Qualitative semi structured interview

Interventions

Qualitative semi structured interview OTHER

60 minute, virtually performed via Microsoft Teams, semi-structured interview

Rehabilitation physiotherapy RTSS users

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Physiotherapists will be recruited exclusively from the rehabilitation department of physiotherapy at Guy's and St Thomas' hospital, these are physiotherapists who have attempted to use the RTSS in clinical documentation.

You may qualify if:

• Physiotherapy staff who have attempted adoption of the RTSS documentation integration
• Are actively working in the physiotherapy department setting with in substantive positions

You may not qualify if:

• Are unable to consent to the study
• Are student physiotherapists or temporary staff
• Are actively working with the PI
• Are unable to conduct the interview in English

Sponsors & Collaborators

• King's College London: lead
• Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust: collaborator

Related Publications (1)

• Hart T, Dijkers MP, Whyte J, Turkstra LS, Zanca JM, Packel A, Van Stan JH, Ferraro M, Chen C. A Theory-Driven System for the Specification of Rehabilitation Treatments. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Jan;100(1):172-180. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2018.09.109. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

  PMID: 30267669 BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Emma L Godfrey, Dr

CONTACT

+442071880174; emma.l.godfrey@kcl.ac.uk

Jamie Gibson, BSc

CONTACT

+44201885088; jamie.gibson@gstt.nhs.uk

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 18, 2025
• First Posted: June 26, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 30, 2025
• Study Completion: September 5, 2025
• Last Updated: June 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06