- Email: [email protected]
Conceptual Trap
232
Cause of Complaint or of Complaining IT was with interest that I read the article by Ferguson, Griffin and Mulcahy in the January issue of Physiotherapy ‘Patient self-refrrral to physiotherapy in general practice: A model for the new NHS?’ However I was confused by the second paragraph under the heading ‘Employment’: ‘The survey showed that sustained flexion and poor posture are major precipitating factors for a large proportion of back pain complaints.’ Unfortunately the survey did not show that. All that can be said is that people involved in such occupations or pastimes as joinery, gardening, etc, are more likely to seek help for back complaints than are people in heavy manual work. N o other inference can be drawn from this survey. Mark Estkowski MCSP
Manchester
Title: (eg Mr Ms Miss Dr) .................................................... First n ..............
CHANGING ADDRESS?
Conceptual Trap
Amanda Ferpson, principal author of the article, replies: I AM sorry to have caused confusion for this reader. I agree that incorrect conclusions have been drawn in this statement. However, the proposed alternative statement that ‘people involved in such occupations or pastimes as joinery, gardening, etc are more likely to seek help for back complaints than are people in heavy manual work’ could also be considered to be inaccurate as the heavy manual workers may have been referred to physiotherapy via a GP. Furthermore, comparison between the two working groups should take into account the ratio of the population of heavy workers versus sedentary/light/ moderate workers registered at the practice. I would therefore replace this paragraph with ‘the survey suggests that sustained flexion and poor posture may be major precipitating factors for a large proportion of back pain complaints’. This comment was included primarily for the benefit of GPs, to highlight their role in advising back pain patients on correct posture and working positions.
I AM concerned about the classificatio the article ‘Physiotherapy following replantation’ by N Glassey (Physiotheral February, pages 109-112) as a ‘case study’, rather than as a ‘case report’. At first sight this issue may seem trivial but it may create a conceptual trap for unwary readers who could be misled ir thinking that the two items are synonymous. They are not. Physiotherapyjournal has always strive to improve its quality engendered by tl peer review process, different cover (a colour) styles and the recent inclusion the conference report (adopted from Physical Therapy ?). Colours will not improve the journal credibility, but the correct classificatioi will. Yong Hao Pua Final Year Student Manchester __ --School --of- -Physiotherapy -
We accept this criticism and regret that X t article was wrong4 categorised. - Editor
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Surname ......................................................................................................................................................................... CSP membership number ...................................................................................................................................................
Old address .....................................................................................................
.........
.......
..........
Why not use this form to send us the details?
New address: .........................................................................................................................................................................
Please use CAPITAL LETTERS and send it to:
Post code: .........................................................................................................................................................................
The Membership Department CSP
14 Bedford Row
Date of move: .............................................................................................................................
........
London WC1R 4ED ...... Physiotherapy April lSSS/vol85/no 4
.............................................
Cause of Complaint or of Complaining IT was with interest that I read the article by Ferguson, Griffin and Mulcahy in the January issue of Physiotherapy ‘Patient self-refrrral to physiotherapy in general practice: A model for the new NHS?’ However I was confused by the second paragraph under the heading ‘Employment’: ‘The survey showed that sustained flexion and poor posture are major precipitating factors for a large proportion of back pain complaints.’ Unfortunately the survey did not show that. All that can be said is that people involved in such occupations or pastimes as joinery, gardening, etc, are more likely to seek help for back complaints than are people in heavy manual work. N o other inference can be drawn from this survey. Mark Estkowski MCSP
Manchester
Title: (eg Mr Ms Miss Dr) .................................................... First n ..............
CHANGING ADDRESS?
Conceptual Trap
Amanda Ferpson, principal author of the article, replies: I AM sorry to have caused confusion for this reader. I agree that incorrect conclusions have been drawn in this statement. However, the proposed alternative statement that ‘people involved in such occupations or pastimes as joinery, gardening, etc are more likely to seek help for back complaints than are people in heavy manual work’ could also be considered to be inaccurate as the heavy manual workers may have been referred to physiotherapy via a GP. Furthermore, comparison between the two working groups should take into account the ratio of the population of heavy workers versus sedentary/light/ moderate workers registered at the practice. I would therefore replace this paragraph with ‘the survey suggests that sustained flexion and poor posture may be major precipitating factors for a large proportion of back pain complaints’. This comment was included primarily for the benefit of GPs, to highlight their role in advising back pain patients on correct posture and working positions.
I AM concerned about the classificatio the article ‘Physiotherapy following replantation’ by N Glassey (Physiotheral February, pages 109-112) as a ‘case study’, rather than as a ‘case report’. At first sight this issue may seem trivial but it may create a conceptual trap for unwary readers who could be misled ir thinking that the two items are synonymous. They are not. Physiotherapyjournal has always strive to improve its quality engendered by tl peer review process, different cover (a colour) styles and the recent inclusion the conference report (adopted from Physical Therapy ?). Colours will not improve the journal credibility, but the correct classificatioi will. Yong Hao Pua Final Year Student Manchester __ --School --of- -Physiotherapy -
We accept this criticism and regret that X t article was wrong4 categorised. - Editor
.............
............
.........
............
.....................................................................
Surname ......................................................................................................................................................................... CSP membership number ...................................................................................................................................................
Old address .....................................................................................................
.........
.......
..........
Why not use this form to send us the details?
New address: .........................................................................................................................................................................
Please use CAPITAL LETTERS and send it to:
Post code: .........................................................................................................................................................................
The Membership Department CSP
14 Bedford Row
Date of move: .............................................................................................................................
........
London WC1R 4ED ...... Physiotherapy April lSSS/vol85/no 4
.............................................