“You do it to cover your own back”: The assessment of cervical spine radiculopathy among physiotherapists in the United Kingdom. A mixed methods research study

Mansfield, Michael, Jong, Stephanie and Smith, Toby O. (2025) “You do it to cover your own back”: The assessment of cervical spine radiculopathy among physiotherapists in the United Kingdom. A mixed methods research study. PLoS One. ISSN 1932-6203 (In Press)

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Abstract

Cervical spine radiculopathy [CSR] is a complex condition that is challenging to diagnose. The assessment methods used by United Kingdom [UK] physiotherapists to diagnose CSR remain unclear. A mixed-methods explanatory sequential design was used to investigate the assessment strategies that UK Health and Care Professions Council HCPC physiotherapists use and the reasons behind this decision-making in clinical practice. Phase 1 of the mixed methods research [MMR] study was a national online survey. The 63 respondents reported that the most common assessment strategies included muscle strength [94%], light touch sensation [78%] and reflex testing [89%]. Phase 2 of the MMR study included 11 qualitative interviews with Phase 1 [survey] participants. Four themes were established: perception of role, service constraints, minimising risk, and understanding symptoms. Physiotherapists often explained decision making in practice is based upon individual and organisational barriers. The choices available to physiotherapists may be based on cost, departmental knowledge and skill or convenience. However, the best available evidence suggests that physiotherapists should continue to use a biopsychosocial approach when establishing a CSR diagnosis. Physiotherapists should continue to embrace all assessment strategies available and strive to enhance or change practice.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cervical spine radiculopathy,physiotherapy,mixed methods,clinical assessment
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2025 10:30
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2025 10:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99714
DOI:	issn:1932-6203

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