An Evaluation of Research Priorities in Occupational Health Physiotherapy

Background: A list of research priorities in occupational health (OH) physiotherapy was identified at a national OH Physiotherapy Conference in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2018. Objective: To update the current research priorities in OH physiotherapy by expert consensus at an OH physiotherapy virtual meeting in the UK. Materials and Methods: A nominal group technique was used as a consensus technique. Fifteen participants with relevant qualifications and experience in OH physiotherapy agreed to participate and were handed the original list of research priorities and asked to rank it in order of their current importance. The resultant scores gave an indication of the level of consensus within the expert group. Participants were also asked to suggest other research topics of important that were not previously identified. These new topics were not used in the ranking process. Results: Following the expert ranking process eight topics were identified as key priorities providing an indication of where research funding ought to be directed. The benefits of OH physiotherapy based on health outcomes and return of investment was identified as the most important research to be undertaken. Conclusion: This project confirms both current and new research priorities to highlight areas for investment and to grow the overall evidence base.