To evaluate the perception of physiotherapy services among footbal premier clubs in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

As the level of competition in soccer is increasing, the prevalence of injuries also has increased. This calls for more rehabilitation facilities to be employed by the football clubs. The main role of physiotherapy in football is injury treatment and prevention, education, rehabilitation, physical training and research. However, for physiotherapists to be involved in these processes, the decision makers for the team need to have a good perception about having physiotherapists in their clubs. This goes hand in hand with having good knowledge about the role of physiotherapists in football.This research was intended to evaluate the perception of physiotherapy services in football premier league in Lusaka, Zambia. Further to specifically determine the level of knowledge of the clubs about the role of physiotherapy in football, to compare the number of physiotherapists they have engaged in clubs with their perception and level of knowledge.The research was a qualitative non-intervention, descriptive method using an interview guide using non-probability convenient sampling method to select officials of clubs then the data was analyzed using condensation, categorization, narrative structuring, interpretation and an ad hoc approach with the guide of the interview guide.The officials of football clubs (who are the decision makers) were found to have a good perception about having physiotherapists in football clubs and were knowledgeable about the role of physiotherapists in football. However, it was observed that there was limited knowledge about the role of physiotherapy in football and the treatment modalities that they offer. In this vain, only 40% of clubs had a physiotherapist and were on part time. Meanwhile, the services of the physiotherapists have been appreciated by the officials. They were satisfied with the attitude and work culture of physiotherapists.In conclusion this study reviewed that the officials of premier football club in Lusaka Zambia had a good perception about physiotherapy services in football. Additionally, they were knowledgeable about the role of physiotherapists in football though few physiotherapists were sngaged in football clubs.