Patient expectations of physiotherapy: Definitions, concepts, and theories

Abstract

Expectations are an integral part of the psychosocial makeup of each patient, and there is a growing recognition among physiotherapists that psychosocial issues may impact the outcome of physiotherapy. This article seeks to clarify the term “patient expectation” by providing some definitions and an overview of the literature describing the concepts and theories associated with patients' expectations. These concepts are then related to physiotherapy to highlight the impact that patients' expectations may have on the outcome of physiotherapy, and the implications for physiotherapy are discussed.

Notes

¹Biomedical model assumes that 1) illness is biologically specific; 2) the individual is not responsible for the illness; 3) treatment is biologically mediated; 4) responsibility for treatment lies with the medical profession; 5) there is no continuum between health and illness; and 6) the mind and body function independently of each other (Ogden, 2000).

²“Yellow Flags” are factors that increase the risk of developing, or perpetuating long-term disability and work loss associated with low back pain (Kendall, Linton, and Xnain, 1997b).