Solution-Focused Coaching in Pediatric Rehabilitation: Perceived Therapist Impact

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Coaching Interventions

Background:

• Solution-focused coaching (SFC) is an emerging approach in healthcare.
• Pediatric rehabilitation services often face challenges in engaging families and optimizing outcomes.
• Understanding therapists' perspectives is crucial for effective intervention implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore experienced therapists' perceptions of solution-focused coaching in pediatric rehabilitation (SFC-peds).
• To identify the impacts of SFC-peds on clinical practice, service delivery, and client relationships.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study utilizing semi-structured in-depth interviews.
• Six experienced pediatric rehabilitation therapists (4 occupational, 2 physical) participated.
• Thematic analysis was employed to analyze interview transcripts.

Main Results:

• Therapists reported a role shift from expert adviser to collaborative facilitator.
• Increased service effectiveness and enhanced client capacity were key outcomes.
• Participants described a greater focus on client- and family-led solutions.

Conclusions:

• SFC-peds facilitates a reframing of professional expertise and integrates family-centred care principles.
• Therapists' long-term engagement with SFC-peds positively impacts practice.
• System-level support and flexible service structures are recommended for broader SFC-peds implementation.