Use of patient-reported outcome measures for upper limb musculoskeletal conditions among physiotherapists in Tamil Nadu, India: a mixed-methods study
- 1SRM College of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
- 2Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- 3Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
Abstract
Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are widely recommended to evaluate function and participation among individuals with upper limb musculoskeletal conditions. There is scarce evidence about the use of PROMs in physiotherapy practice in India. We aimed to understand how physiotherapists use PROMs in patients with upper limb musculoskeletal conditions in Tamil Nadu, India.
Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted. An online survey was completed by 158 physiotherapists, followed by semistructured interviews with 12 participants to explore experiences and perceptions in depth.
Results: The mean age of the participants (n = 158) was 31.8 years. Twelve participants were interviewed (median age 35 years). Participants predominantly treated shoulder conditions and relied mainly on impairment-based assessments such as pain (76%), range of motion (70%), and muscle strength (59%). While 38% of the survey participants reported rarely or never using PROMs, all interview participants reported occasional use. Most survey participants were familiar with pain scales and unfamiliar with PROMs. Lack of time, knowledge, confidence in selecting and administering PROMs, and the non-availability of PROMs in Tamil were commonly reported barriers. Patient-related challenges such as literacy, language, and cooperation emerged in interviews. Availability of PROMs, therapist training, and workplace policies were the reported facilitators.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the use of PROMs and familiarity with them are reportedly low among physiotherapists in Tamil Nadu. Larger surveys are needed to guide policy, education, and professional practice to facilitate PROM use by physiotherapists in India.
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BibTeX
@article{t2026patientreported,
title = {{Use of patient-reported outcome measures for upper limb musculoskeletal conditions among physiotherapists in Tamil Nadu, India: a mixed-methods study}},
author = {Veeragoudhaman T S and Vinitha Arasu and Cynthia Swarnalatha and Balamurugan Janakiraman},
journal = {Hand Therapy},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1177/17589983261500129},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/17589983261500129},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Use of patient-reported outcome measures for upper limb musculoskeletal conditions among physiotherapists in Tamil Nadu, India: a mixed-methods study
AU - Veeragoudhaman T S
AU - Vinitha Arasu
AU - Cynthia Swarnalatha
AU - Balamurugan Janakiraman
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Hand Therapy
DO - 10.1177/17589983261500129
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/17589983261500129
AB - Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are widely recommended to evaluate function and participation among individuals with upper limb musculoskeletal conditions. There is scarce evidence about the use of PROMs in physiotherapy practice in India. We aimed to understand how physiotherapists use PROMs in patients with upper limb musculoskeletal conditions in Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted. An online survey was completed by 158 physiotherapists, followed by semistructured interviews with 12 participants to explore experiences and perceptions in depth. Results: The mean age of the participants (n = 158) was 31.8 years. Twelve participants were interviewed (median age 35 years). Participants predominantly treated shoulder conditions and relied mainly on impairment-based assessments such as pain (76%), range of motion (70%), and muscle strength (59%). While 38% of the survey participants reported rarely or never using PROMs, all interview participants reported occasional use. Most survey participants were familiar with pain scales and unfamiliar with PROMs. Lack of time, knowledge, confidence in selecting and administering PROMs, and the non-availability of PROMs in Tamil were commonly reported barriers. Patient-related challenges such as literacy, language, and cooperation emerged in interviews. Availability of PROMs, therapist training, and workplace policies were the reported facilitators. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the use of PROMs and familiarity with them are reportedly low among physiotherapists in Tamil Nadu. Larger surveys are needed to guide policy, education, and professional practice to facilitate PROM use by physiotherapists in India.
SN - 1758-9983
SN - 1758-9991
ER -