Physiotherapists’ preparedness for a national hip screening program in children with cerebral palsy: a survey study

Objective: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a prevalent neurological disorder a!ecting 2-3 per 1000 live births globally. A common orthopedic consequence in CP is hip dislocation, with an incidence ranging from 15% to 30%. This study aimed to assess physiotherapists' (PTs) awareness and knowledge of hip dislocation in CP and identify knowledge gaps in this field. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to PT working in healthcare institutions across Türkiye. The online anonymous survey, hosted on Google Forms, received responses from 128 PTs. It included questions related to the diagnosis, treatment approaches, and clinical experience concerning hip dislocation/subluxation. The survey consisted of 3 types of questions: demographic questions, yes/no knowledge questions, and opinion-suggestion questions. Results: The majority of PTs participating in this study work with pediatric patients. Physiotherapists had basic knowledge about hip dislocation although we observed significant gaps in areas related to routine screening programs and advanced treatment modalities. PTs incorrectly answered 3 out of 8 knowledge-based questions. The majority emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment and expressed a need for more education and awareness programs. Conclusion: Physiotherapist provided important opinion-suggestion insights. The findings indicate a need for improved education and training for PT concerning hip dislocation in children with CP. We believe that the most appropriate screening method for Türkiye is to establish a screening program with a multidisciplinary structure formed between pediatric orthopedists, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (PM&R), PT, and family physicians (FPs). Level of Evidence: N/A.