COMPARISON OF COMPETENCY LEVELS AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPISTS PRACTICING IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH CARE CENTERS OF FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Competency among physical therapists is critical to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Public and private healthcare centers offer differing environments and resources that may influence therapists’ skill development and experience levels. Public centers often provide broader patient exposure, while private centers may emphasize specialized skills. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the competency levels of physical therapists practicing in public and private healthcare settings in Faisalabad, Pakistan, to provide insights that could enhance training and professional development in these environments.

Objective: To assess and compare the competency levels of physical therapists working in public versus private healthcare centers in Faisalabad, Pakistan, using the Physical Therapy Profile Questionnaire (PTPQ).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across various healthcare facilities in Faisalabad. After initial screening, 108 physical therapists were selected through purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria focused on active clinical practice with at least one year of experience. The PTPQ was employed to evaluate competencies, examining areas such as clinical experience, education level, and treatment preferences. Data analysis included frequency distribution and associations between affiliation, education level, and experience.

Results: Among 108 participants, private healthcare centers accounted for 85 therapists, with 36 holding a Master’s degree, compared to 8 in public centers. In terms of experience, 2 public healthcare therapists had over 10 years of experience, while only 1 private healthcare therapist had similar experience. Public centers also had 11 therapists with under 2 years of experience, compared to 47 in private centers. Additionally, 5 public and 21 private therapists had 5–10 years of experience. Public sector therapists demonstrated significantly higher levels of patient exposure.

Conclusion: While physical therapists in private healthcare centers demonstrated higher competency in specific skills, those in public centers gained broader clinical experience through diverse patient interactions. This comparison highlights the complementary strengths of each setting, suggesting that combining elements of both could enhance training programs for physical therapists.