Qualitative interview participant demographics.

Cervical spine radiculopathy [CSR] is a complex condition that is challenging to diagnose. The assessment methods used by United Kingdom [UK] physiotherapists to diagnose CSR remain unclear. A mixed-methods explanatory sequential design was used to investigate the assessment strategies that UK Health and Care Professions Council HCPC physiotherapists use and the reasons behind this decision-making in clinical practice. Phase 1 of the mixed methods research [MMR] study was a national online survey. The 63 respondents reported that the most common assessment strategies included muscle strength [94%], light touch sensation [78%] and reflex testing [89%]. Phase 2 of the MMR study included 11 qualitative interviews with Phase 1 [survey] participants. Four themes were established: perception of role, service constraints, minimising risk, and understanding symptoms. Physiotherapists often explained decision making in practice is based upon individual and organisational barriers. The choices available to physiotherapists may be based on cost, departmental knowledge and skill or convenience. However, the best available evidence suggests that physiotherapists should continue to use a biopsychosocial approach when establishing a CSR diagnosis. Physiotherapists should continue to embrace all assessment strategies available and strive to enhance or change practice.

颈椎神经根病（Cervical spine radiculopathy, CSR）是一种复杂的疾病，诊断难度较高。目前英国（UK）物理治疗师用于诊断CSR的评估方法仍不明确。本研究采用混合方法解释性序列研究设计，旨在探究英国健康与护理专业委员会（Health and Care Professions Council, HCPC）注册的物理治疗师在临床实践中所采用的评估策略，以及其临床决策背后的动因。本混合方法研究（Mixed Methods Research, MMR）分为两个阶段：第一阶段为全国性线上调查，共回收63份有效问卷。结果显示，最常用的评估策略包括肌力检查（94%）、轻触觉检查（78%）与反射测试（89%）。第二阶段为针对第一阶段（线上调查）参与者的11例质性访谈，最终提炼出四大研究主题：职业认知、服务限制、风险最小化与症状认知。物理治疗师普遍表示，临床实践中的决策制定基于个体与组织层面的多重障碍，物理治疗师可选择的评估方案往往受成本、科室知识与技能水平，以及便捷性等因素制约。然而，现有最佳循证证据表明，物理治疗师在确立CSR诊断时，应始终采用生物-心理-社会诊疗模式。物理治疗师应持续应用所有可用的评估策略，并致力于优化或革新自身临床实践。