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What makes an ‘ideal’ physiotherapy service for people with parkinson's disease?
Author(s) -
Young Rachael,
Jones Diana,
Baker Katherine
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
physiotherapy research international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.509
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1471-2865
pISSN - 1358-2267
DOI - 10.1002/pri.494
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , multidisciplinary approach , context (archaeology) , service (business) , thematic analysis , focus group , psychology , guideline , medicine , nursing , physical therapy , qualitative research , paleontology , social science , business , economy , pathology , marketing , sociology , economics , biology
Background and Purpose. Physiotherapy within a multidisciplinary team context is recommended for the management of Parkinson's disease (PD); however, the results of a recent survey revealed that access to physiotherapy remained inadequate (PDS, 2008). Research into physiotherapy and PD has largely focussed on the effectiveness of interventions; fewer studies have involved service users' views. This study aimed to explore an ‘ideal’ physiotherapy service, building on the experiences of physiotherapy of people with PD. Methods. An Appreciative Inquiry (AI) (Reed, 2007) approach was employed with five participants purposively sampled from a regional branch of the PD Society. A focus group was undertaken, with questioning based on the ‘discovery’ and ‘dreaming’ stages of the AI model. Data were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis combining a long table approach and a method of constant comparison. Emergent themes were verified by the participants. Results. The theme of a patient‐centred service, with individualized treatment, involvement in decision making and choice, was central to the ideal model. Service ideals encompassed ongoing support and access, recognition of motivational needs, use of outcome measures and goal setting and team involvement; knowledge and understanding were essential skills; and the setting provided a positive environment, was closely linked to the community and took account of transport issues. Conclusions. The study findings showed a strong relationship between what service users wanted and what guidelines (both government‐ and physiotherapy‐specific [KNGF, 2004]) recommend for practice. Guideline implementation should provide a service that is more patient‐centred and reflects the aspirations of those with PD. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.