Knowledge and Attitudes of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Toward Integrating Physical Therapy in Prenatal and Postnatal Care

Abstract

Background: Prenatal and postnatal care are critical for maternal and infant health, yet many Obstetricians and Gynecologists may have limited knowledge of the benefits of physical therapy in managing pregnancy-related conditions. Integrating physical therapy into maternal care can enhance outcomes, but Obstetricians and Gynecologists knowledge and attitudes significantly influence this collaboration. Understanding these perspectives is vital for promoting interdisciplinary care and improving maternal health services.

Objective: To determine the knowledge and attitude of Obstetricians and Gynecologists regarding the integration of Physical Therapy during prenatal and postnatal care.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out six months after approval of the topic.  Using a non-probability convenience sampling technique, data were collected from 100 senior and consultant Obstetricians and Gynecologists working in various hospitals and clinics. The sample size was calculated using the census method. Participants completed a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising 26 items divided into four sections: knowledge, attitude, utilization, and influencing factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with descriptive statistics computed for all variables.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 32.70 ± 5.56 years. In the domain of knowledge (Section A), 67% of respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge about physical therapy for maternal care. In section B, it was indicated that all respondents had a positive perception of adopting physical therapy during prenatal and postnatal care. On the practical application (Section C), 60% of them were applying PT at high levels in practice. Section D showed that 84% Obstetricians and Gynecologists reported moderate influence, suggesting positive factors, 14 % low-impact factors, and 2 % high-impact factors influenced them into urging patients to refer to PT.

Conclusion: The knowledge and attitudes of the Obstetricians and Gynecologists in this study were high regarding the application of physical therapy in maternal practice. The existing gaps, such as poor institutional support and, lack of a structured referral procedure, however, raise the need to improve cooperation between various fields and the systematic changes in the sector.