Management and dissemination of professional expertise: Physiotherapists’ perceptions of the supervision of dedicated aides working with children with cerebral palsy

ABSTRACT

A qualitative study was undertaken to explore pediatric physiotherapists’ perceptions and experiences of supervising dedicated aides responsible for the daily care of preschool children with cerebral palsy. Data were collected using individual semi-structured interviews. A theme-based content analysis yielded three major themes. Supervision and therapy were provided simultaneously, giving supervision a secondary priority. The physiotherapists transitioned their professional language into a common form of language to make the aides understand. The importance of letting aides attain first-person experiences of professional skills was highlighted. Implications of the findings for supervision in pediatric physiotherapy and for future research are addressed.

KEYWORDS:

• Supervision
• pediatric physiotherapy
• dedicated aides
• cerebral palsy
• qualitative interviews

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their gratitude to all the participants for generously sharing their time and expertise and to the secondary health care personnel that contributed to the recruitment process.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The Norwegian Fund for Postgraduate Training in Physiotherapy funded this study [grant number 7161] and had no role in the execution of the study, analysis, and interpretation of the data or decision to publish.

Notes on contributors

Marit Sørvoll

Marit Sørvoll, PT, Msc, is a PhD candidate at the master program in neurological physiotherapy at the Artic University of Norway, Tromsø. She also works as a physiotherapist at the University Hospital of North Norway where she is responsible for the superior follow-up of children and adolescents with congenital neurological disorders, such as children with cerebral palsy, muscle diseases, and similar. In addition, she collaborates with and supervises physiotherapists in primary health care. Sørvoll is a novice researcher with a special interest in professional expertise and practical skills, the sharing and communication of such skills, and interactional processes in clinical encounters.

Aud Obstfelder

Aud Obstfelder, PhD, RN, is a professor in health science and is a nurse and a sociologist. She is head of research at Centre for Care Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Obstfelder’s expertise and research interest concern the delivery and organization of health and care work, particularly, the consequences of technologies and political initiatives for work practices, knowledge and practical skills, and professional and patient interactions. Theoretically she relates to theories of practice and feminist techno-science. In addition to supervising PhD candidates and master students, she has contributed to and written book chapters and numerous articles within her field of expertise.

Britt Normann

Britt Normann, PhD, PT, is an associate professor and the initiator of the master program in neurological physiotherapy at the Artic University of Norway. She is also a highly trained specialist in neurological physiotherapy and holds a position at Nordland Hospital Trust. Normann’s research interests concern developing the theoretical framework for neurological physiotherapy and conducting empirical research (qualitative and quantitative) related to neurological conditions, in particular multiple sclerosis. Theoretically she relates to Enactive Theory, a new and innovative theory regarding embodiment and cognition. She supervises PhD candidates and master students and has contributed to and written numerous articles within her field of expertise.

Gunn Kristin Øberg

Gunn Kristin Øberg, PhD, PT, is a professor in physiotherapy and the head of the master program in neurological physiotherapy at the Artic University of Norway. She also holds a position at the University Hospital North Norway. Øberg is a specialist in pediatric physiotherapy and is a certified Newborn Behavioral Observation System Trainer. Research interests are neonatology, early intervention, and infant development. She has conducted both qualitative and quantitative empirical research focusing on the knowledge base for clinical practice: form, content, and the outcome of early intervention programs and therapeutic processes. Øberg supervises PhD candidates and master students and has written numerous articles within her field of expertise.