Exploring the variability of technological readiness in qualified physiotherapists in relation to length of qualification, age and gender using the Technological Readiness Index (TRI): a prospective cohort study.

Abstract

Questions: Do physiotherapist's attitudes towards technology vary due to different lengths of qualification? Do physiotherapist's attitudes towards technology vary due to gender? Do physiotherapist's attitudes towards technology vary due to age? Design: A prospective cohort study. Participants: 171 physiotherapists over the age of 18 from NHS Lothian. Intervention: Participants completed the 16 item Technology Readiness Index questionnaire. Non-identifiable demographic data was collected first; which included, gender, age, and years since qualification. Outcome measures: Technology Readiness Index (TRI) questionnaire. Results: It was found that there was no statistically significant differences in attitudes across different lengths of qualification, age, or gender. Although differences were not statistically significant, differences in mean TRI scores were found in relation to different lengths of qualification, age and gender. Differences were also found between scores of different domains, relating to years since qualification, with a statistically significant difference found regarding innovativeness. Conclusion: Physiotherapists qualified for less than 1 year had the lowest TRI scores, and those qualified for 2-5 years were found to have the highest. Males had a higher TRI score than females and physiotherapists aged 20-29 had higher TRI scores than those aged 50+. Findings shown may provide a basis for potential changes regarding technology training and education within NHS Lothian and also within university curricula.