Do hand therapists have a role in workplace-based education to manage tennis elbow? Beliefs about effective treatments among Australian hand therapists and medical practitioners
Affiliations: [a] School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work, and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| [b] Hand Works Occupational Therapy, Bullcreek, Western Australia, Australia
| [c] Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linkoping University, Linkoping, Sweden
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Associate Professor Marina Ciccarelli, School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work & Speech Pathology, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. Tel.: +61 (08) 9266 3692; E-mail: M.Ciccarelli@curtin.edu.au.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET), commonly known as tennis elbow, is a prevalent work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder. Medical practitioners and hand therapists manage LET with commonly available clinic-based treatments, despite no sound evidence to suggest long-term relief and functional restoration for workers with LET. Workplace-based rehabilitation is effective for injured workers with other health conditions, but no studies have investigated this rehabilitation approach in the management of LET. OBJECTIVES:(i) Identify, compare, and contrast Australian hand therapists’ and medical practitioners’ perceptions about the effectiveness of common treatments for LET, and (ii) obtain their views towards a hand therapist delivered workplace-based education approach. METHODS:In this cross-sectional study, 38 medical practitioners from Western Australia and 104 hand therapists around Australia completed online surveys. Independent t-tests were used to identify between-group differences in responses. RESULTS:Despite some between-group differences regarding the perceived effectiveness of common LET treatments, both groups believed education about LET pathology, activity modification, postures, and workplace recommendations were most effective. Most medical practitioners (81%) and hand therapists (71%) believed workplace-based education delivered by a hand therapist would be beneficial for patients with acute and chronic LET. CONCLUSION:Australian hand therapists and medical practitioners believed educational approaches were the most important component in the management of LET, and supported workplace-based educational interventions provided by hand therapists in the management of LET.
