An integrative review of the qualities of a ‘good’ physiotherapist

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Qualities of a physiotherapist may influence the therapeutic alliance and physiotherapy outcomes. Understanding what qualities constitute a ‘good’ physiotherapist has yet to be systematically reviewed notwithstanding potentially profound implications for the future practice of physiotherapy.

Purpose

The primary purpose of this review was to critically examine how physiotherapists and their patients describe the qualities of a ‘good’ musculoskeletal physiotherapist as depicted in peer-reviewed literature. The secondary aim was to synthesize qualities represented in the literature, and to compare patient and physiotherapist perspectives.

Methods

An integrative review methodology was used to undertake a comprehensive literature search, quality appraisal of studies, and thematic analysis of findings. An electronic search of CINAHL, EMBASE, Nursing and Allied Health, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus databases was conducted within a time range from database inception to June 14, 2019.

Results

Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Six qualities of a ‘good’ musculoskeletal physiotherapist were identified as: responsive, ethical, communicative, caring, competent, and collaborative.

Conclusions

The qualities of a ‘good’ physiotherapist identified in the review emphasize the human interaction between physiotherapists and patients and point to the centrality of balancing technical competence with a relational way of being.

KEYWORDS:

• Physiotherapy
• professional behaviors
• clinical competence
• professional-patient relations
• musculoskeletal
• orthopedic

Acknowledgments

A special thank you to research librarians, Roxanne Isard and David LeSauvage who assisted with the design of the search strategy for this review.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.