Calling on the Client's Perceptions About the Contributions of Physiotherapists Working in Occupational Health Services

Overview

Journal J Patient Exp

Specialty Health Services

Date 2020 Jun 19

PMID 32550262

Authors

Laran Chetty

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Clients are the recipients of occupational health care. To date, little is known about the perceptions of clients about the contribution of physiotherapists working in occupational health services. Gathering this information is imperative to understanding and responding to clients' needs.

Methods: An interpretative qualitative study was undertaken and face-to-face interviews were conducted with clients from 2 occupational health services situated within the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. Data were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim in full. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: There were 9 clients interviewed, predominantly comprising secretaries, staff nurses, and care assistants. Thematic analysis revealed 2 main themes: vocational rehabilitation and health promotion. Clients revealed distinct subcomponents of the contribution of physiotherapists in occupational health services such as functional capacity evaluations, job demand analysis, and work-specific rehabilitation. Promoting staff health was another pertinent issue reported by clients.

Conclusions: Clients clearly felt that physiotherapists made a contribution to occupational health services. This information lays the groundwork for the development of physiotherapists within occupational health services, which in turn will help clients achieve better care and health outcomes.

References

Pransky G, Dempsey P . Practical aspects of functional capacity evaluations. J Occup Rehabil. 2004; 14(3):217-29. DOI: 10.1023/b:joor.0000022763.61656.b1. View

Dean C, Stark A, Gates C, Czerniec S, Hobbs C, Bullock L . A profile of physiotherapy clinical education. Aust Health Rev. 2009; 33(1):38-46. DOI: 10.1071/ah090038. View

Higgs J, Refshauge K, Ellis E . Portrait of the physiotherapy profession. J Interprof Care. 2001; 15(1):79-89. DOI: 10.1080/13561820020022891. View

Kuijer W, Brouwer S, Reneman M, Dijkstra P, Groothoff J, Schellekens J . Matching FCE activities and work demands: an explorative study. J Occup Rehabil. 2006; 16(3):469-83. DOI: 10.1007/s10926-006-9027-2. View

Ciampa D . Almost ready: how leaders move up. Harv Bus Rev. 2005; 83(1):46-53, 116. View