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“In the physio we trust”: A qualitative study on patients’ preferences for physiotherapy
Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Research and Development Primary Health Care, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden / The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8612-583X
2017 (English)In: Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, ISSN 0959-3985, E-ISSN 1532-5040, Vol. 33, no 7, p. 535-549Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: Patient preferences are suggested to be incorporated in clinical decision making, but little is known about preferences for physiotherapy treatment of patients with musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to explore preferences regarding physiotherapy treatment and participation in decision making, of patients who seek primary care physiotherapy for pain in the back, neck or shoulder.

Methods: A qualitative study set in an urban physiotherapy clinic in Sweden. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 20 individuals who sought physiotherapy for back, neck or shoulder pain. The interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed with qualitative content analysis.

Results: An overarching theme, embracing six categories, was conceptualised: Trust in the physiotherapist fosters active engagement in therapy. Most informants preferred active treatment strategies such as exercise and advice for self-management, allowing them to actively engage in their therapy. Some preferred passive treatments, primarily acupuncture (because they had heard that it works well) or massage therapy (because “it feels good”). Preferences were consistent across the three musculoskeletal conditions. Key influencers on treatment preferences were previous experiences and media. All informants wanted to be involved in the clinical decision making, but to varying extents. Some expressed a preference for an active role and wanting to share decisions while others were content with a passive role. Expectations for a professional management were reflected in trust and confidence in physiotherapists’ skills and competence, expectations for good outcomes, and believing that treatment methods should be evidence-based.

Conclusions: Trust in the physiotherapist’s ability to choose appropriate treatment and confidence in the professional skills and competence of physiotherapists, as well as a desire to participate in clinical decision making, fostered active engagement in physiotherapy. Preferences for particular interventions were subordinate, although a preference for active treatments dominated. Preferences for active engagement need to be embraced by the physiotherapist. Awareness of these preferences can facilitate clinical decision making and contribute to increased quality of care for patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2017. Vol. 33, no 7, p. 535-549
Keywords [en]
Physical therapy, patient preferences, shared decision making, primary care, guidelines
National Category
Physiotherapy Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-122556DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2017.1328720ISI: 000403937700003OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-122556DiVA, id: diva2:868015
Note

Funding agencies: Local Research and Development Board for Gothenburg; Local Research and Development Board for Sodra Bohuslan

Previous status of this publication was Manuscript

Available from: 2015-11-09 Created: 2015-11-09 Last updated: 2023-12-28Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Advancing evidence-based practice in primary care physiotherapy: Guideline implementation, clinical practice, and patient preferences
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Advancing evidence-based practice in primary care physiotherapy: Guideline implementation, clinical practice, and patient preferences
2015 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Research on physiotherapy treatment interventions has increased dramatically in the past 25 years and it is a challenge to transfer research findings into clinical practice, so that patients benefit from effective treatment. Development of clinical practice guidelines is a potentially useful strategy to implement research evidence into practice. However, the impact of guideline implementation in Swedish primary care physiotherapy is unknown. To achieve evidence-based practice (EBP), research evidence should be integrated with clinical expertise and patient preferences, but knowledge is limited about these factors in Swedish primary care physiotherapy.

The overall aim of this thesis was to increase understanding of factors of importance for the implementation of EBP in Swedish primary care physiotherapy. Specific aims were: to translate and adapt a questionnaire for the measurement of EBP and guidelines; to investigate physiotherapists’ attitudes, knowledge and behaviour related to EBP and guidelines; to examine clinical practice patterns; to evaluate the effects of a tailored guideline implementation strategy; and to explore patients’ preferences for physiotherapy.

The thesis comprises four studies (A-D), reported in five papers. In Study A, a questionnaire for the measurement of EBP and guidelines was translated, cross-culturally adapted, and tested for validity (n=10) and reliability (n=42). Study B was a cross-sectional study in which this questionnaire was used to survey primary care physiotherapists in the county council Region Västra Götaland (n=271). In Study C, a strategy for the implementation of guidelines was developed and evaluated, using the same questionnaire (n=271 at baseline, n=256 at follow-up), in a prospective controlled trial. The strategy was based on an implementation model, was tailored to address the determinants of guideline use identified in Study B, and comprised several components including an educational seminar. Study D was an exploratory qualitative study of patients with musculoskeletal disorders (n=20), using qualitative content analysis.

The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was found to be satisfactory. Most physiotherapists have a positive regard for EBP and guidelines, although these attitudes are not fully reflected in the reported use of guidelines. The most important determinants of  guideline use were considering guidelines important to facilitate practice and knowing how to integrate patient preferences with guidelines. The tailored, multi-component guideline implementation significantly affected awareness of, knowledge of, and access to guidelines. Use of guidelines was significantly affected among those who attended an implementation seminar. Clinical practice for common musculoskeletal conditions included interventions supported by evidence of various strengths as well as interventions with insufficient research evidence. The most frequently reported interventions were advice and exercise therapy. The interviewed patients expressed trust and confidence in the professionalism of physiotherapists and in the therapists’ ability to choose appropriate treatment, rendering treatment preferences subordinate. This trust seemed to foster active engagement in their physiotherapy.

In conclusion: The adapted questionnaire can be used to reliably measure EBP in physiotherapy. The positive attitudes found do not necessarily translate to guideline use, due to several perceived barriers. The tailored guideline implementation strategy used can be effective to reduce barriers and contribute to increased use of guidelines. The clinical practice patterns identified suggest that physiotherapists rely both on research evidence and their clinical expertise when choosing treatment methods. Patients’ trust in their physiotherapist’s competence and preference for active engagement in their therapy need to be embraced by the clinician and, together with the therapist’s clinical expertise, integrated with guideline use in the clinical decision making. Further research is needed on how the EBP components and different knowledge sources can be integrated in physiotherapy practice, as well as on implementation effects on patient outcomes.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Linköping: Linköping University Electronic Press, 2015. p. 105
Series
Linköping University Medical Dissertations, ISSN 0345-0082 ; 1486
National Category
Physiotherapy Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-122558 (URN)10.3384/diss.diva-122558 (DOI)978-91-7685-935-3 (ISBN)
Public defence
2015-12-09, Berzeliussalen, Campus US, Linköping, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2015-11-09 Created: 2015-11-09 Last updated: 2023-12-28Bibliographically approved

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Bernhardsson, SusanneJohansson, KajsaÖberg, Birgitta

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