Club-Based and Non-Club-Based Physiotherapists' Views on the Psychological Content of Their Practice When Treating Sports Injuries

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore whether there were any differences in the psychological content of practice between club-contracted and non-club-contracted physiotherapists when treating sports injuries. Eighty-seven certified physiotherapists (non-club contracted N = 42, club contracted N = 45) from the United Kingdom completed a modified version of the Athletic Training and Sport Psychology Questionnaire (ATSPQ). Results revealed significant between-group differences in psychological skills use and the importance of psychological skills knowledge. Non-club-contracted physiotherapists reported a higher use of improving social support and higher-order psychological skills (e.g., reducing depression, stress, and anxiety) and rated knowledge of these psychological skills to be more important whilst club-contracted physiotherapists reported a higher use of short-term goal settings. These findings suggest that non-club-based physiotherapists may approach the treatment of injured athletes in a different way to their club-based counterparts. Results suggest athletes treated outside of the club system may experience a different recovery process.