Physiotherapy practice: Practitioners’ perspectives

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the phenomenon of physiotherapy practice through the experience of the practitioner by using an interpretive approach encouraged within the philosophy of phenomenology (Jensen, 1989). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 expert physiotherapists working in the area of neurological rehabilitation. The objective was to discover their perceptions of practice (i.e. what they hold practice to be) and to identify the frames of reference which they use in relation to their practice. An analysis of these interviews was conducted in four stages and offers insight into the models of practice held by the participants.

The suggestion that physiotherapists ‘conceptualise movement on a continuum that incorporates physical and pathological aspects of movement with social and psychological considerations’ (Cott et al, 1995) was strongly supported in the view of practice held by this group. With respect to their frames of reference, there emerged a picture of patient-centred values, practice-centred knowledge and profession-specific action. These held some distinctive features which need to be made more explicit through further exploration. This would facilitate research which addresses the questions of practitioners and could lead to more evidence-based practice.