Patient experience of a joint assessment for plantar fasciitis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient experience of a joint physiotherapist and podiatrist biomechanical assessment for plantar fasciitis: a pilot prospective cohort study.
IRAS ID
260169
Contact name
Daniel Kerr
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 28 days
Research summary
The study to be undertaken is entitled: Patient experience of a joint physiotherapist podiatrist biomechanical assessment for plantar fasciitis: a pilot prospective cohort study.
In many musculoskeletal conditions, including plantar fasciitis, there is evidence for the value of input from both physiotherapists and podiatrists. However, despite this, within the literature there is only one article citing the two professions working together in musculoskeletal services. No evidence exists reporting patient experience of assessment for plantar fasciitis.
Currently a clinic runs within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust in which a physiotherapist and podiatrist jointly assess patients with biomechanical issues including plantar fasciitis. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the patients experience of attending an assessment carried out jointly by a physiotherapist and podiatrist for their plantar fasciitis.
The study design includes one outcome measure questionnaire relevant to the condition studied and if appropriately consented patients will be asked to complete this on initial assessment and on discharge. This will then be followed up by a one-to-one interview to further explore the patient experience in a discussion following discharge. The patient's intervention in terms of usual assessment and treatment input will remain unchanged from normal practice.
Eligible patients will be those triaged to the joint assessment clinic with a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and aged over 18 years. The study will run on site within the physiotherapy department in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust where the clinic runs ordinarily.
The data generated by the outcome measure questionnaire and the one-to-one interview will be appropriately recorded and analysed in order to determine the outcome and experience of patients attending a joint physiotherapy podiatry biomechanical assessment clinic for plantar fasciitis.
This pilot study will not only evaluate current practice but may serve to inform future practice for this condition.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NE/0227
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion