Development of a framework for person-centred physiotherapy

Abstract

Background

There is a growing call for healthcare to focus on person-centred practice. This can lead to improved outcomes for patients in terms of physical and psychological health. Challenges exist around how person-centredness is understood in physiotherapy. Having a physiotherapy framework would help support a shared understanding of the meaning of person-centred physiotherapy.

Aim

The aim of this study was to locate and synthesise studies which have a conceptualisation of person-centred physiotherapy practice. These were used to develop an overarching conceptual framework for person-centred physiotherapy practice.

Methods

The framework was developed through a systematic process involving a systematic literature search, screening studies against eligibility criteria, data extraction, data synthesis, naming and defining core constructs of person-centred physiotherapy practice, and generation of a pictorial representation of an overarching conceptual framework.

Results

The person-centred physiotherapy framework is comprised of four constructs: physiotherapist characteristics, which focuses on the knowledge and skills for clinical proficiency, attributes of the physiotherapist, reflection and self-awareness; person-physiotherapist interaction(s), which focuses on partnership, empowerment and self-management; the environment, which focuses on coordinated healthcare delivery, culture of the organisation and practice environment, and the physical environment; and the ongoing unique journey of the person and self-management. The relationships between the constructs reflect the complex nature of person-centred practice.

Conclusions

The framework presented can be used to better understand person-centred physiotherapy with a view to enhancing practice. The framework needs to be tested further through empirical research to establish its utility.

Keywords:

• Physiotherapy
• person-centred practice
• patient-centred practice
• framework

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Funding

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Clare Killingback

Clare Killingback graduated as a physiotherapist from the University of Nottingham (1999), since then he has worked in various NHS trusts and most recently in the area of community rehabilitation. Clare spent 10-years working internationally as a physiotherapist with 4-years in Northern Iraq seeking to develop physiotherapy services. Her PhD (awarded in 2016) focused on the role of community-based group exercise programmes in supporting physical activity in older people. In 2019 Clare set up the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy programme at the University of Hull which she now leads as a senior lecturer. Her current research interests lie in person-centred practice, self-management, and pedagogy. She is passionate about helping the next generation of physiotherapists become excellent in utilising evidence-informed practice.

Angela Green

Angela Green graduated as a physiotherapist in 1987 and specialised in neurological rehabilitation (children and adults) in both acute and community NHS Trusts. She now supports people with cancer related fatigue. Angela’s PhD (awarded in 2008), focussed on patient involvement in physiotherapeutic consultations. She has been a fellow of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. She has also worked in the Yorkshire and Humber region to increase Allied Health Professional engagement in research, in conjunction with the NIHR Yorkshire clinical research network, and as a hub lead for the Council for Allied Health Professional Research (CAHPR) network. Her current research interests lie in person-centred practice and rehabilitation, particularly in relation to long COVID. Angela is passionate about increasing the visibility of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) at system level and increasing AHP engagement in research.

John Naylor

John Naylor currently works at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and is studying for a PhD within the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull. John’s research interests lie in Low Back Pain, Physiotherapy and Emergency Medicine. His current project is around person-centred physiotherapy practice in emergency departments.