Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Across the United Kingdom, physiotherapy for critical care patients is provided 24 h a day, 7 days per week. There is a national drive to standardise the knowledge and skills of physiotherapists which will support training and reduce variability in clinical practice. METHODS: A modified Delphi technique using a questionnaire was used. The questionnaire, originally containing 214 items, was completed over three rounds. Items with no consensus were included in later rounds along with any additional items suggested. RESULTS: In all, 114 physiotherapists from across the United Kingdom participated in the first round, with 102 and 92 completing rounds 2 and 3, respectively. In total, 224 items were included: 107 were deemed essential as a minimum standard of clinical practice; 83 were not essential and consensus was not reached for 34 items. ANALYSIS/CONCLUSION: This study identified 107 items of knowledge and skills that are essential as a minimum standard for clinical practice by physiotherapists working in United Kingdom critical care units.