Analysis of Portuguese Physiotherapists' Self-Knowledge on Temporomandibular Disorders
Moleirinho-Alves, P (通讯作者)，Egas Moniz Sch Hlth & Sci, Escola Super Saude Egas Moniz, P-2829511 Almada, Portugal.;Moleirinho-Alves, P (通讯作者)，Egas Moniz Sch Hlth & Sci, Egas Moniz Physiotherapy Clin & Res Ctr, Interdisciplinary Res Ctr CiiEM, P-2829511 Almada, Portugal.;Moleirinho-Alves, P (通讯作者)，Cuf Tejo Hosp, P-1300352 Lisbon, Portugal.
Background: Physiotherapy is one of the most referenced and effective conservative strategies for treating patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). This study aimed to characterize and analyze the self-knowledge of TMD of Portuguese physiotherapists. Methods: an online questionnaire was carried out, and the data collected were descriptively analyzed. Results: A total of 338 physiotherapists participated, of which only 142 treated patients with TMD. Seventy-six percent of the physiotherapists reported that they had not received training in the TMD area during the physiotherapy degree course. Only 11% of the physiotherapists reported that treating patients with TMD adequately identified all symptoms of TMD. Conclusions: the present study showed that it is necessary to integrate TMD-related content into the basic training of physiotherapists and promote an increase in evidence-based training.
