Orthotist involvement in early gait rehabilitation after stroke: A cross-sectional survey of orthotists in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

The role of the orthotist in early gait rehabilitation after stroke in the United Kingdom is currently poorly understood. The objective of this study was to capture current opinion and practice of orthotists on their role in early stroke gait rehabilitation in the United Kingdom. An anonymous web-based cross-sectional survey was developed and distributed to Health and Care Professions Council-registered orthotists by the mailing list of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists professional body in the United Kingdom. Survey items were multiple-choice, Likert scale, or open-ended questions to explore the experiences and opinions of orthotists in early poststroke gait rehabilitation. Responses were received from 56 participants. Orthotists reported having regular contact with patients who had a stroke within their usual clinical caseload. Multidisciplinary care was not typical with 46% respondents "rarely" seeing patients who had a stroke in joint assessment with another clinician. Confidence in managing lower limb gait difficulties was high, with 89% of orthotists feeling able to recommend a lower limb orthotic treatment. Ninety-eight percent (n = 55) of respondents agreed that orthotic assessment should be an essential element of gait re-education after stroke; however, orthotists reported limited involvement within early stroke rehabilitation. UK orthotists surveyed in this study report that orthotic treatment is an important aspect of early gait rehabilitation after stroke. Respondents report barriers to multidisciplinary working, which may affect outcomes in this patient group.