When to check vital signs during outpatient physical therapy
Development of a Decision Algorithm for Vital Sign Assessment in the Outpatient Physical Therapy Setting: An e-Delphi Study
This project will try to create clear rules for outpatient physical therapists about when to check blood pressure, heart rate, or oxygen levels.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Youngstown State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Youngstown, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT07258030 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Vital sign assessment is often underused in outpatient physical therapy despite its potential to identify cardiovascular or respiratory problems and guide treatment intensity. This observational study will use a three-round electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) process to gather and refine expert opinion from experienced outpatient physical therapists. Participants with at least five years' outpatient experience will list, rate, and re-rate clinical signs, symptoms, and contextual factors that should trigger or rule out vital sign checks. Responses will be compared across rounds to produce a consensus-based decision algorithm for when vital signs should or should not be measured.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are licensed outpatient physical therapists with at least five years of clinical experience, proficient in written English, and willing to complete all three online survey rounds.
Not a fit: People who are not licensed physical therapists, those with under five years of outpatient experience, or those unable to complete online surveys are not eligible and will not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the algorithm could make outpatient therapy safer by helping therapists identify patients who need vital sign checks while reducing unnecessary measurements for others.
How similar studies have performed: Delphi and e-Delphi methods have been widely used and successful for developing expert consensus in clinical guidelines, although applying them specifically to outpatient vital sign decision rules is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Licensed physical therapist. 2. Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in an outpatient physical therapy setting. 3. Proficient in English (reading and writing). 4. Ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Less than 5 years of outpatient physical therapy experience. 2. Inability to read or write in English. 3. Declines informed consent or does not agree to participate in all survey rounds
Where this trial is running
Youngstown, Ohio
- Youngstown State University — Youngstown, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Edmund Ickert, PhD
- Email: ecickert@ysu.edu
- Phone: 330-941-1326
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.