Knowledge and Perceptions of Physiotherapy Scope of Practice among Future Healthcare Professionals in North-Eastern Nigeria

Background Effective interprofessional collaboration between doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists is essential for optimizing patient outcomes, particularly in resource-constrained environments. This study aimed to compare the levels of awareness regarding the clinical roles and professional scope of physiotherapy among final-year Nursing and Medical students in North-Eastern Nigeria . Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 152 clinical-level participants (n = 76 Nursing; n = 76 MBBS) at the University of Maiduguri. An adapted 21-item validated instrument was utilized to evaluate awareness across various clinical specialties. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.05) to assess differences based on the program of study, gender, and residential status. Results The study cohort (Mean Age = 26.37 \(\:\pm\:\)3.45 years) demonstrated a statistically comparable baseline of physiotherapy awareness across disciplines (U = 2473.50, p = 0.09). While nursing students exhibited a higher mean rank (81.95) compared to Medical students (71.05), the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, gender (p = 0.25) and place of residence (p = 0.06) did not serve as significant predictors of awareness. Despite a "Moderate" overall awareness level, critical knowledge deficits were identified concerning physiotherapy’s role in high-acuity care and independent clinical practice . Conclusion Future healthcare providers in North-Eastern Nigeria enter the workforce with a synchronized but incomplete understanding of the rehabilitative team. The identified gaps suggest that relying on passive clinical observation is insufficient for fostering "High-level" professional awareness. To improve multidisciplinary care, the integration of formal Interprofessional Education (IPE) and specialized physiotherapy modules into the medical and nursing curricula is strongly recommended.