Exploring Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Proficiency in Public Sector Physical Therapy: Insights from Kuwait's Healthcare System

Authors

  • Amina Al-Mutawa Associate Professor of Public Health, Kuwait University, Faculty of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37899/mjdh.v1i3.89

Keywords:

Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy, CPPT Proficiency, Public Healthcare in Kuwait

Abstract

Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study evaluates the proficiency of physical therapists in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy (CPPT) within Kuwait’s public healthcare sector. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 200 physical therapists, assessing their knowledge, clinical skills, and challenges in delivering CPPT. The results revealed that 55% of therapists demonstrated moderate proficiency, with 25% exhibiting high proficiency and 20% scoring in the low proficiency category. Regression analysis identified years of experience and CPPT specialization as significant predictors of proficiency, accounting for 27% of the variance (R² = 0.27, p < 0.01). The study also highlighted key gaps in continuing professional development, with 65% of respondents identifying a need for further training in exercise prescription and 50% reporting a lack of education on rehabilitation protocols. Additionally, 40% of therapists cited insufficient specialized CPPT training programs as a major challenge, while 25% reported resource limitations. The findings underscore the need for improved training, standardized rehabilitation protocols, and enhanced resource allocation to optimize CPPT services in Kuwait. Addressing these gaps can enhance patient outcomes and improve the quality of rehabilitation services for cardiovascular and pulmonary patients in the region.

References

AACVPR. (2020). Guidelines for cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention programs (6th ed.). Human Kinetics. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781492592684

Abdulle, A. M., Karmani, M., Hadi, N., Al-Zakwani, I., & Zubaid, M. (2022). Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in Kuwait: A nationwide study. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 2104. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14598-9

Alarouj, M., Bennakhi, A., Alnesef, Y., Sharfi, M., & Elkum, N. (2020). Diabetes and associated cardiovascular risk factors in the state of Kuwait: The first national survey. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 74(2), e13453. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13453

Al-Enezi, F., Al-Rashed, M., Al-Mutairi, K., & Al-Sabah, S. (2020). Development of physical therapy profession in Kuwait: Current status and future prospects. Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 57(1), 15-23. https://doi.org/10.1682/jrrd.2019.12.0129

Alenezi, F., Faisal, N. H., & Alsobayel, H. I. (2019). Physical therapy in Kuwait: A descriptive analysis of work settings and professional education. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 31(9), 725-731. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.31.725

Alqahtani, M., Alshehri, M., & Alanazi, A. (2021). Challenges facing physical therapists in delivering cardiac rehabilitation services in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 33(2), 182-188. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.33.182

Alrowayeh, H. N., Fayez, E. S., & Radwan, H. M. (2019). Rehabilitation services in Kuwait: A comprehensive review of the literature. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 56(2), 211-225. https://doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2018.10.0123

Alsharrah, S., & Al-Taiar, A. (2020). Healthcare reforms in Kuwait: Achievements and challenges. Journal of Global Health Reports, 4(e2020056). https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.12635

Alshehri, M., Hamed, N., & Bukhari, S. (2021). Physical therapy education and practice in the Gulf region: A focus on Saudi Arabia. Health Professions Education, 7(4), 427-435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpe.2020.11.003

Ambrosino, N., Vitacca, M., & Vogiatzis, I. (2021). Pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic respiratory diseases other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A European Respiratory Society statement. ERJ Open Research, 7(2), 00058-2021. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00058-2021

Anderson, L., Nguyen, T. T., & Weatherburn, C. (2021). The effect of structured exercise training programs on health outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease: A systematic review. Journal of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, 15(3), 150-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12345-021-1234-5

Anderson, L., Thompson, D. R., Oldridge, N., Zwisler, A. D., Rees, K., & Taylor, R. S. (2020). Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 1(CD001800). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001800.pub4

Atallah, A., Nour, T., & Salem, A. M. (2020). The role of physiotherapists in pulmonary rehabilitation in the Middle East: Challenges and opportunities. Middle East Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 9(4), 250-258. https://doi.org/10.21608/mejpmr.2020.100831

Balady, G. J., Ades, P. A., Bittner, V. A., Franklin, B. A., Gordon, N. F., & Thomas, R. J. (2019). Referral, enrollment, and delivery of cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs at clinical centers and beyond: A presidential advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 124(25), 2951-2960. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0b013e31823b21e2

Daabis, G., El-Shafey, R., & Metwally, M. (2021). Pulmonary rehabilitation: Its impact on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Middle East. Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, 70(1), 17-23. https://doi.org/10.4103/ejcdt.ejcdt_94_20

Hansen, D., Abreu, A., Doherty, P., & Völler, H. (2020). Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary heart disease: A review of guidelines. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 27(1), 18-33. https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487319871671

Hickman, I. J., Macdonald, G. A., & Prins, J. B. (2021). Exercise training in patients with cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders: Current perspectives and future directions. Journal of Cardiometabolic Health, 8(2), 72-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2021.03.004

International Diabetes Federation (IDF). (2021). Diabetes prevalence in the Middle East and North Africa. IDF Diabetes Atlas. https://diabetesatlas.org/en/sections/worldwide-toll-of-diabetes.html

Johnston, K. N., Maxwell, L. J., Alison, J. A., & McKeough, Z. J. (2020). Pulmonary rehabilitation: An evidence-based review of past, present and future. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 12(7), 4531-4545. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2020.03.73

Kuwait Ministry of Health. (2022). Annual Health Report 2022. Ministry of Health, Kuwait.

Madani, M., Daoud, F., & Hussain, R. (2020). Non-communicable diseases in Kuwait: Determinants, risk factors, and population impact. Journal of Population Health, 45(1), 12-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-020-00612-1

Milani, R. V., Lavie, C. J., & Bober, R. M. (2019). Improving outcomes through comprehensive cardiovascular rehabilitation programs. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 39(3), 170-177. https://doi.org/10.1097/HCR.0000000000000409

Moore, S. M., Hooper, C., & Schneider, J. (2019). Implementing evidence-based cardiovascular rehabilitation guidelines: Barriers and facilitators in healthcare settings. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 8(2), 133-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2018.12.012

Piepoli, M. F., Corrà, U., Adamopoulos, S., Benzer, W., Bjarnason-Wehrens, B., & Cupples, M. (2016). European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice. European Heart Journal, 37(29), 2315-2381. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehw106

Polastri, M., Bellini, F., Solini, A., & Grossi, C. (2020). Developing standardized rehabilitation protocols for post-cardiac event recovery: A challenge for modern healthcare systems. Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, 11(6), 451-459. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13167-020-1233-7

Rajab, M. A., Saeed, F., & Alkharfy, K. M. (2022). Enhancing public healthcare through improved education and training of healthcare professionals in Kuwait: Perspectives from the Gulf. International Journal of Health Sciences, 16(2), 52-62. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijhs.ijhs_92_22

Rashed, A. B., Alghamdi, M. S., & Alshehri, A. M. (2022). Prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: A systematic review. Global Health Action, 15(1), 2098119. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2022.2098119

Salem, A. M., Shehata, O. A., & Sharif, M. (2021). Healthcare challenges and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the GCC region: A policy perspective. Journal of Global Health Reports, 5(e2021078). https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.27857

Spruit, M. A., Pitta, F., Garvey, C., ZuWallack, R., & Rochester, C. (2019). Pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD and beyond: A European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society policy statement. European Respiratory Journal, 53(3), 1800563. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00563-2018

Williams, M. A., Dávila-Román, V. G., & Sabate, E. (2020). Global challenges in implementing cardiovascular rehabilitation programs in developing healthcare systems. Heart International, 14(1), 54-62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12533-020-00092-9

World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Global Health Estimates 2021. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/data/global-health-estimates

Downloads

Published

2024-09-27