Loren Davidson
|
Physiotherapist, School of Physiotherapy Clinic, University of Otago, and member of Pain@Otago Research Theme, NZ
Loren Davidson is a NZ registered physiotherapist at the School of Physiotherapy Clinic (University of Otago) and member of Pain@Otago Research Theme. She has a strong interest in primary care physiotherapy to support people with ongoing health challenges, including musculoskeletal conditions and persistent pain experiences. Her main research interests include exploring opportunities for supporting clinicians and patients in primary care settings. Loren will present findings from her Bachelor of Physiotherapy Honour’s research conducted as part of Dr Falling’s COPC Programme of research, entitled: Physiotherapists’ Perspectives about Temporomandibular Disorders.
|
|
It’s a Total Pain in the Mouth! Physiotherapists’ Perspectives of Temporomandibular Disorders
Authors: Loren Davidson, BPhty(Hons), Allyson Calder, PhD, Carrie Falling, PhD
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the most common cause of orofacial pain, significantly impacting individuals’ physical, social, and psychological well-being. However, pathways for seeking care are well-understood to be problematic. Patients report TMD care to be uncoordinated, inconsistent, and expensive. Primary care providers report a lack of confidence in diagnosing and managing patients with TMD. This research explored the perspectives of 11 New Zealand physiotherapists regarding TMDs, including pathoetiology and management approaches. Findings from a reflexive thematic analysis of participant interviews, indicated themes related to (1) processes that assist physiotherapists to access and apply their theoretical and experiential knowledge (knowledge activation); (2) greater clinician self-efficacy leads to greater willingness to engage in TMD patient care, and less self-efficacy prompts patient referral to other health providers; and (3) opportunities for empowering greater patient access to best-practice TMD care. Overall findings reflected a lack of confidence in physiotherapists to manage patients with TMD. Interviews suggested this was consequent to a perceived lack of theoretical TMD knowledge, transferrable physiotherapy skillset, and clinical practice experience. Inconsistencies in TMD care may be supported by the development of cross-disciplinary upskilling resources to standardize provider knowledge and skills related to TMD.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the most common cause of orofacial pain, significantly impacting individuals’ physical, social, and psychological well-being. However, pathways for seeking care are well-understood to be problematic. Patients report TMD care to be uncoordinated, inconsistent, and expensive. Primary care providers report a lack of confidence in diagnosing and managing patients with TMD. This research explored the perspectives of 11 New Zealand physiotherapists regarding TMDs, including pathoetiology and management approaches. Findings from a reflexive thematic analysis of participant interviews, indicated themes related to (1) processes that assist physiotherapists to access and apply their theoretical and experiential knowledge (knowledge activation); (2) greater clinician self-efficacy leads to greater willingness to engage in TMD patient care, and less self-efficacy prompts patient referral to other health providers; and (3) opportunities for empowering greater patient access to best-practice TMD care. Overall findings reflected a lack of confidence in physiotherapists to manage patients with TMD. Interviews suggested this was consequent to a perceived lack of theoretical TMD knowledge, transferrable physiotherapy skillset, and clinical practice experience. Inconsistencies in TMD care may be supported by the development of cross-disciplinary upskilling resources to standardize provider knowledge and skills related to TMD.
