Expectations and experiences of physiotherapeutic practice among patients with shoulder problems

Abstract

Background: Patient satisfaction is regarded as an important component in quality health care. There is an absence of information about how patients go through shoulder problems. The aim is to report how patients with shoulder problems experience physiotherapy practice in Finland. Do the patients have expectations of physiotherapists? How are the patients’ experiences of physiotherapists?

Methods: The sample group consists of 26 patients diagnosed with supraspinatus tendinitis. The study can be characterised as qualitative and phenomenological. The data were collected through focus groups.

Results: Eleven themes were defined reflecting three structured categories: the physiotherapy itself including treatments, the social skills and basic values. Treatment includes opinions about examination, manual therapy, physical therapy and program. In physiotherapists’ social skills, the attention is marked to initial understanding, communication, motivating and attention to patients’ wishes. The respondents expect individualisation, participation, respect and dignity. Together, these categories provide the base of the confidence the respondents want to have in the physiotherapists.

Conclusions: Patients highlight basic values by wanting to feel part of the rehabilitation process and to have confidence in their physiotherapist. The physiotherapists have every reason to reflect on the patients’ strong focus on social skills, yet without renouncing their roles as experts.

Keywords:

• Voice of patients
• focus groups
• treatment
• rehabilitation
• physiotherapy
• confidence

View correction statement:

Correction to: Palenius and Nyman, Expectations and experiences of physiotherapeutic practice among patients with shoulder problems

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the patients who participated in the focus groups.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was obtained from the Medical Research Fund of the City of Jakobstad Department of Social Services and Health Care.