Emancipatory physiotherapy practice

Area of Science:

• Physiotherapy
• Health Sciences
• Philosophy of Science

Background:

• Therapeutic interventions in physiotherapy may conflict with patients' personal experiences and lifestyles.
• A gap often exists between scientific recommendations and patients' social, emotional, and cultural realities.
• Effective physiotherapy requires bridging scientific knowledge and patients' 'lifeworld' for meaningful engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore physiotherapy practice knowledge and its intersection with patient experiences.
• To examine how Habermas' communicative theory can enhance shared decision-making in physiotherapy.
• To investigate the application of Habermas' ideas for emancipatory physiotherapy practice.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of physiotherapy practice knowledge.
• Application of Habermas' theory of knowledge, interest, and communication.
• Utilizing data from an action research project to examine practical implementation.

Main Results:

• Habermas' theory provides a framework for strengthening shared decision-making between patients and physiotherapists.
• Open dialogue is a key strategy for reciprocal engagement between patients and therapists.
• Emancipatory practice fosters reflection, evaluation, and patient choice in physiotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Emancipatory physiotherapy, informed by communicative theory, leads to more sustainable and shared decisions.
• Rethinking the professional role of physiotherapists is crucial for translating technical knowledge into patient-relevant terms.
• Emancipatory practice enhances patient well-being by creating opportunities for choice and self-determination.