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. 2025 Sep;23(3):e70163.
doi: 10.1002/msc.70163.

'Removing a Blindfold': Perspectives of Physical Therapists After Completing the PEAK-Portuguese E-Learning Course

Hugo Jario Almeida Silva  1   2 , Bruno T Saragiotto  2   3 , Lívia G Fernandes  4 , Julya P M Perea  1 , Angelica V Ferrari  1 , Isabela de Paiva Locatelli  1 , Rana S Hinman  5 , Tania F Salvini  1
Affiliations

'Removing a Blindfold': Perspectives of Physical Therapists After Completing the PEAK-Portuguese E-Learning Course

Hugo Jario Almeida Silva et al. Musculoskeletal Care. 2025 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: Physical therapists report reduced confidence and skills in delivering evidence-based knee osteoarthritis care. The Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis (PEAK) is a free online course available in four languages that aims to train physical therapists in evidence-based practice for managing knee osteoarthritis. The Portuguese adaptation (PEAK-PT) has not been evaluated yet. This study explored the facilitators and barriers reported by physical therapists after completing the PEAK-PT e-learning course.

Materials and methods: This qualitative study with semi-structured interviews involved 20 Portuguese-speaking physical therapists. Participants were predominantly females with an average age of 34 years who had completed the PEAK-PT 3 months before the interview. Data were analysed using a content analysis method proposed by Bardin.

Results: Five themes were identified as facilitators: (1) Knowledge acquisition and transmission, (2) Interactive and visually appealing resource, (3) Language accessibility, (4) Partially self-paced and (5) Increased clinical confidence online and offline. Three themes were identified as barriers: (1) Lack of formal recognition of completion, (2) Language inaccessibility and (3) Time constraint.

Conclusion: The PEAK-PT elicited positive experiences related to content organisation and presentation, learning outcomes and clinical confidence. Physical therapists may benefit from this tool to provide evidence-based education to individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Keywords: e‐learning; health technology; implementation in health; knee osteoarthritis; physical therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

R.S.H. is one of the creators of the PEAK course and Uni of Melbourne receives royalties from FutureLearn that hosts the course. H.J.A.S., B.T.S. and T.F.S. helped create the PEAK‐PT course.

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