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

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.