Interdisciplinary perception of the physiotherapist's role in the intensive care unit: a descriptive observational study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22819345Keywords:
physiotherapists, professional role, intensive care units, interprofessional relations, perceptionAbstract
Introduction: The intensive care unit (ICU) is a complex setting where multidisciplinary care is key; the physiotherapist is part of the team that prevents and treats respiratory and musculoskeletal complications. The aim was to analyze the perception of the physiotherapist's role in the ICU among physicians, nurses and physiotherapists in the metropolitan area of Asunción, Paraguay, during 2025.
Materials and methods: Quantitative, observational, descriptive cross-sectional study with 146 health professionals (60% nurses, 23% physiotherapists, 18% physicians) from public and private institutions in Luque, San Lorenzo and Fernando de la Mora, using snowball sampling and a structured questionnaire analyzed with descriptive statistics.
Results: 77% considered the physiotherapist "indispensable"; they highlighted impact on reducing length of stay (60%) and improving prognosis (68%). Only 15% always collaborate with the physiotherapist in clinical decisions, although 92% perceived favorable collaboration in ventilator weaning. Main barriers: lack of equipment (48%), prolonged sedation (42%) and unfamiliarity with the role (24%).
Conclusions: There is a positive valuation of the physiotherapist in the ICU, but integration into clinical decision-making is limited by structural and organizational factors, supporting stronger early mobilization protocols and visibility of the interdisciplinary role.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Luján Ullón Acosta, Antonela Capurro Reyes, Elva Indira Jara Galeano (Autor/a)
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