The physiotherapy experience in private practice: The patients' perspective

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the qualities of a "good" physiotherapist and to ascertain the characteristics of good and bad experiences in private practice physiotherapy from the patients' perspective. The nominal group technique was implemented with separate groups of patients (n = 26) and revealed that communication ability, professional behaviour and organisational ability, and characteristics of the service provided were the main qualities of a "good" physiotherapist. In particular, communication ability of the physiotherapist was ranked first or second in importance by all groups of patients. Good experiences in physiotherapy were most often attributed to effective communication by the physiotherapist, while bad experiences most often related to dissatisfaction with the service followed by poor physiotherapist communication. Based on the findings from this study, we suggest physiotherapists should actively seek to involve patients in their management. To do this effectively, physiotherapists would benefit from further training in communication skills to ensure that they can successfully adopt a patient-centred approach and to optimise the physiotherapist-patient interaction in private practice physiotherapy.

Knowing hands converse with an expressive body – An experience of osteopathic touch

“…Given that patients have a choice about the healthcare practitioner they consult, it is natural for them to assess the competence of their practitioner. In fact literature suggests that the nature of medical services turns patients into detectives who are looking for clues about the practitioner's competence and care (Mechanic, 1998;Potter et al, 2003). However, in an effort to improve healthcare delivery researchers have also begun to examine what qualities a patient looks for in their physician to provide quality healthcare (Fung et al, 2005).…”

Locomotor training: Experiencing the changing body

“…The professional literature has increasingly supported looking to the patient for insight on an array of rehabilitation-related issues, including priorities for rehabilitation research, interventions, and innovations [1][2][3][4]; evaluation of rehabilitation practice and process [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]; evaluation of specific interventions and devices [13][14][15]; and development of patient-centered outcome measures [16][17][18]. Textbooks have also emphasized the importance of incorporating patients' priorities and preferences throughout the rehabilitation process-from goal setting and treatment planning to evaluating associated outcomes [19][20].…”

Practicing physiotherapy in Danish private practice: an ethical perspective

“…Obviously it has the implication that physiotherapists define attributes and characteristics that have previously been confined to the personal sphere, as being professionally necessary attributes and characteristics. The need for physiotherapists to be committed and attentive in a bodily, emotional and mental sense is also shown by others (Gard et al 2000;Potter et al 2003aPotter et al , 2003b, and is reflected in the daily job adverts for physiotherapists. Here, it is legitimate to require that the individual physiotherapist must commit and be committed with his or her own personality in everyday practice.…”

“…This is in line with Riesman's ascertainment that the underlying understanding of western healthcare services is based on the idea that 'the goods in demand is neither raw material nor machines; it's personality' (Riesman, 1985). The physiotherapists' perception of personal commitment is embedded in their understanding of beneficence towards the patient; they engage their personal ethos, which is in line with the modern patient's search for inner welfare (Pittelkow, 2001;Potter et al, 2003aPotter et al, , 2003b. Obviously it has the implication that physiotherapists define attributes and characteristics that have previously been confined to the personal sphere, as being professionally necessary attributes and characteristics.…”