Diagnostic imaging interpretation by physical therapists: a clinical performance evaluation

To evaluate the diagnostic radiology interpretation skills of Saudi physical therapists and explore how demographic and professional characteristics are associated with their performance. A multi-regional, cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 241 licensed physical therapists practicing across different regions of Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a validated 10-image quiz assessing their ability to identify imaging modality and interpret common musculoskeletal and neurological diagnoses. Mean total score was 12.1 ± 3.1/20. Participants were significantly more accurate in identifying modalities than making diagnostic interpretations (p < 0.001). Higher scores were observed among male therapists, therapists with DPT/doctorate degrees, and those specializing in orthopedics or sports (p < 0.05). Saudi physical therapists demonstrated variable performance on a structured diagnostic radiology interpretation assessment, with substantially lower accuracy in diagnostic interpretation than in modality identification. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives and clinical training to strengthen image interpretation performance.