'Sometimes I feel like the only physio in the whole wide world, so alone’

This study explored facilitators and barriers to providing adequate care for individuals with HICP, as experienced by physiotherapists working in Western Cape PHC facilities. It is envisaged that the findings may contribute to curriculum development, policy considerations, and clinical practice enhancement.

Educational Objectives

Educational Aim:

This qualitative study reveals Western Cape physiotherapists' experiences managing high-impact chronic pain in resource-limited PHC settings: overwhelming isolation, value of person-centred education and support, severe barriers (time, staffing, knowledge gaps), and urgent needs for more resources, training, and collaboration to improve care.

Educational Outcomes:
Upon completion of this module practitioners should have a clear understanding of:

1. High-impact chronic pain (HICP) and be able to explain its biopsychosocial complexity in resource-limited South African PHC settings.
2. Key challenges faced by Western Cape physiotherapists, including emotional isolation, workload overload, and limited interdisciplinary collaboration.
3. Practical improvements, such as increased staffing, pain-specific training, culturally adapted tools, and better interdisciplinary support.

Instructions for this Module

• Read the supplied reading material and complete the quiz that follows;
• You have three attempts to pass the quiz;
• The pass grade is 70%;
• You need to pass the quiz to claim your CPD certificate;
• Please click on the CPD certificate link below to claim your CPD certificate and to update your CPD Manager.

If you need any assistance to complete this module, please Contact us