Směrem k národní síti respirační fyzioterapie: celonárodní průřezové dotazníkové šetření

Abstract

Objective: This cross-sectional survey aimed to map the current practice of respiratory physiotherapy (RPT) in the Czech Republic, identify key barriers and facilitators to RFT delivery, and assess interest in establishing a network of trained respiratory physiotherapists. Methods: A questionnaire (12 closed and 2 open-ended questions) was distributed via REDCap (June–July 2025) using a snowball sampling method. Eligible respondents were physiotherapists with any postgraduate training and active use of RPT. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s χ² test with Cramer’s V, and Spearman’s ρ were applied; open-ended responses were thematically categorized. Results: A total of n = 183 responses were analyzed. RPT was performed regularly by 50.3% and occasionally by 49.7% of respondents. Annually, > 50 patients were treated by 44.8% of physiotherapists. Hospital-based settings reported higher annual patient volumes than other workplaces (χ²₃ = 19.5; p < 0.001; V = 0.35). Self-reported RPT knowledge correlated with annual patient volume (ρ = 0.39; p < 0.001). Use of airway clearance devices was more frequent in Prague than in the rest of the country (χ²₂ = 7.2; p = 0.03; V = 0.20). The most common barriers to active provision of RFT were low physician awareness of RFT benefits (47.8%), insufficient professional networking (42.8%), and lack of time/capacity for patients (36.1%). Key expectations from a potential national RPT network included professional courses, workshops, webinars, supervision, internships (85.7%), regular sharing of updates and new findings (76.9%), and the creation and updating of methodological materials (69.8%). Interest in joining the emerging network was expressed by 36.1% of respondents (an additional 37.7% answered “maybe”). Conclusion: The data support the plan to establish and develop a national network of experts in respiratory physiotherapy.