Table 2 Number and percentage of the opinions of generalist physical therapists (n = 142) with regard to addressing occupational factors within physical therapy practice in terms of awareness, attitude, social influences and self-efficacy

 a) The border where general physical therapy ends and occupational health physical therapy starts is clear to me.

64 (45.1)

38 (26.8)

3 (2.1)

 b) I am aware of the fact that, on average, the majority of my patients have paid work.

8 (5.6)

15 (10.6)

53 (37.3)

 c) I see the way my patients work (performance) as a possible treatment option.

4 (2.8)

21 (14.8)

36 (25.4)

 d) I see the extent of work participation of my patient as a possible treatment option.

4 (2.8)

24 (16.9)

29 (20.4)

 a) The patient’s work should have a larger place within the physical therapy than it currently does

12 (8.5)

37 (26.1)

25 (17.6)

 b) I consider the patient’s work as a major barrier or facilitator for recovery.

5 (3.5)

14 (9.9)

39 (27.5)

 c) I consider the patient’s work as a major cause of complaints.

13 (9.2)

(46 (32.4)

21 (14.8)

 d) Addressing the patient’s work in practice has positive effects on the patient’s performance.

0

14 (9.9)

45 (31.7)

 e) Addressing the patient’s work in physical therapy practice has a positive effect on the patient’s work absenteeism.

4 (2.8)

31 (21.8)

32 (22.5)

 f) It is not important to address the patient’s work/work activities within physical therapy practice because the patients visit the physical therapist for treating his/her physical complaints.

39 (27.5)

5 (3.5)

3 (2.1)

 g) There is insufficient opportunity to address the patient’s work/work activities within the regular physical therapy treatment.

59 (41.5)

5 (10.6)

1 (0.7)

 h) Cooperation with the business community about occupational health offers a possibility to put more focus on physical therapy and create a different business model.

4 (2.8)

31 (21.8)

35 (24.6)

 i) The domain ‘work’ belongs to the company/occupational health physical therapist, whereas generalist physical therapists have little to do with it.

63 (44.4)

21 (14.8)

3 (2.1)

 j) The specific knowledge that is required in the field of occupational health is not sufficiently accessible to the generalist physical therapist.

31 (21.8)

55 (38.7)

5 (3.5)

 k) The patient’s demand of care is rarely related to his/her work.

58 (40.8)

23 (16.2)

3 (2.1)

 a) My colleagues think that I should not address the patient’s work in my practice.

49 (34.5)

20 (4.1)

0

 b) The majority of my colleagues pay sufficient attention to their patient’s work in their practice.

30 (21.1)

47 (33.1)

7 (4.9)

 c) I notice that patients like it when I discuss their work situation with them.

6 (4.2)

21 (14.8)

24 (16.9)

 d) My colleagues support me to pay attention to the work of my patient.

15 (10.6)

62 (43.7)

9 (6.3)

 e) My supervisor supports me to pay attention to the work situation of my patient.

12 (8.5)

69 (48.6)

15 (10.6)

 a) I am able to address the work of my patient within my practice, despite the ever-changing laws and regulations in this area.

12 (8.5)

38 (26.8)

14 (9.9)

 b) I am able to ask my patient about his/her working situation and to adapt my treatment accordingly.

3 (2.1)

16 (11.3)

26 (18.3)

 c) Based on my current knowledge, I am optimally able to treat patients who work and to advise them with regard to work tasks/work technique, workplace working hours, workload, and work absenteeism.

34 (23.0)

43 (30.3)

15 (10.6)

 d) I find it difficult to assess to what extent the patient’s complaint is work related.

61 (43.0)

29 (20.4)

2 (1.4)

 e) I am able to hold a substantive discussion about the patient with an occupational health physician or occupational health physical therapist.

14 (9.9)

28 (19.7)

27 (19.0)

 f) Based on my knowledge of the field of occupational therapy, I am able to refer patients to the occupational health physical therapist if indicated.

29 (20.4)

38 (26.8)

21 (14.8)