Direct Access to Physiotherapy in Switzerland Cross-Cultural Adaptation of a Questionnaire and Investigation of Physiotherapists' Attitudes

Background: With the implementation of the Bologna reform in 2006 the Swiss physiotherapy education system was upgraded to an academic level. This led to a discussion concerning direct access to physiotherapy. Objective: The aim of this questionnaire enquiry was to evaluate the current attitude of physiotherapists in Switzerland towards direct access and whether they dare to actively practice it. Method: After a cultural and linguistic validation of the survey tools, in May 2010 the questionnaire was sent to all members of the Swiss Physical Therapy Association. The return rate was 27 %. Results: The majority (86 %) of the interviewed physiotherapists endorse the direct access implementation in Switzerland, and 84.3 % dare to actively practice it. According to 60 % of the respondents, however, additional qualifications are indispensable. Comprehensive knowledge of pathology (red flags; 90 %), differential diagnosis (75 %) and attending professional training (65 %) were considered to be most important. Conclusions: Physiotherapists in Switzerland show a positive attitude towards direct access which represent comparable results with Germany. In order to promote direct access in Switzerland further steps are necessary, e.g. performing pilot projects with reasonable goals.