Shared decision making

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among IAP-registered physiotherapists practising in India. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling and completed an online questionnaire through Qualtrics after providing digital informed consent. The questionnaire assessed awareness and attitudes, SDM practice, perceived barriers and facilitators, confidence, beliefs and competency, and responses to a clinical vignette.

Data were analysed using SPSS Version 26. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Spearman correlation, and multiple linear regression with heteroscedasticity-robust standard errors were performed, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 101 complete responses were analysed.

Participants demonstrated generally favourable awareness and attitudes towards SDM, with a mean score of 4.18 ± 0.54, while self-reported SDM practice had a mean score of 4.25 ± 0.54. Awareness and attitude showed a moderate positive correlation with SDM practice (ρ=0.51, p<0.001). Confidence, facilitator endorsement, and clinical-vignette performance were also associated with practice.

Regression analysis indicated that awareness/attitude, facilitators, and confidence significantly predicted SDM practice, explaining 42% of the variance. Conclusion: Physiotherapists demonstrated favourable awareness, attitudes, and reported practice of SDM. However, gaps in confidence, documentation, and implementation remain.

Integrating SDM training, communication skills, collaborative goal setting, and decision-support strategies into physiotherapy education and professional development may strengthen its clinical implementation.</p>