Awareness of the Role of Physiotherapy in Treating Gynecological and Obstetric Issues Among Gynecologists: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sami Elmahgoub (), Adel El Taguri, Aseel Aburub, Mohamed I. Mabrouk, Márta Hock and Viktória Prémusz
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Sami Elmahgoub: Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11937, Jordan
Adel El Taguri: Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli 13932, Libya
Aseel Aburub: Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11937, Jordan
Mohamed I. Mabrouk: Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11937, Jordan
Márta Hock: Institute of Physiotherapy and Sports Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pécs, Hungary
Viktória Prémusz: Physical Activity Research Group, János Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing women’s health conditions, such as pelvic pain and postpartum recovery. However, its integration into standard care relies heavily on the awareness and referral practices of gynecologists and obstetricians, which may be suboptimal. Objective: To investigate the awareness, attitudes, and referral practices of gynecologists and obstetricians in Libya regarding the role of physiotherapy in women’s health. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in public and private hospitals in Tripoli, Libya. A total of 100 practitioners were invited to participate. A self-administered questionnaire assessed demographics, awareness, attitudes, and practices. Results: The response rate was 67% ( n = 67/100). The results revealed a key disparity: while the vast majority of respondents (94.1%) acknowledged the importance of physiotherapy in women’s health and 76.1% reported a willingness to refer patients, only 67.1% perceived physiotherapists as competent to manage these conditions. This indicates a significant gap in understanding specific physiotherapy techniques. Awareness percentage was significantly influenced by factors such as the type of hospital and prior exposure to physiotherapy education. Conclusions: A striking disparity was found between high general awareness (94.1%) and significantly lower perceived competence (67.1%) and knowledge of its role in specific conditions. This gap between general approval and specific understanding directly creates the critical barrier to referral. To improve interdisciplinary collaboration and patient access to care, enhanced educational initiatives for physicians, the development of clear clinical guidelines, and the establishment of dedicated women’s health physiotherapy clinics are strongly recommended.

Keywords: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Gynecologists; Obstetricians; Physical Therapy Modalities; Referral and Consultation; Women’s Health; Libya (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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