Exploring how to deliver person-centred physiotherapy with adolescents experiencing musculoskeletal pain: a
R Joslin1, C Harwood2, M Donovan-Hall3
1School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK; Women's and Children's Department, University Hospitals Sussex, St. Richards Hospital, Chichester, PO19 6SE, UK.
Background:
Musculoskeletal pain in adolescents is common and can become a long-term problem and continue into adulthood. Person-centred care is recognised globally as best practice, but it is unclear how to personalise physiotherapy for adolescents experiencing musculoskeletal pain and injury.
Objectives:
The aim was to understand adolescent perspectives on how physiotherapists can deliver person-centred care.
Design:
A qualitative interview study was undertaken as part of a larger programme of research to design an intervention using the person-based approach.
Method:
Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 11 adolescents (6 young women and 5 young men) aged 14-17 years, receiving physiotherapy at a single NHS site in England. Their perspectives on how best to deliver personalised care within physiotherapy were sought.
Results:
Six themes were developed from the interview data and portrayed the dynamic nature of person-centred care. These were labelled make it right for me, get to know me, explain to me, encourage me, hear me and let me choose.
Conclusions:
New perceived needs specific to this population were highlighted. These included recognising the vulnerability and lack of control experiences by adolescents, as well the importance of adults (parents and physiotherapists) acknowledging the extent to which they facilitate or constrain the delivery of person-centred care. Adolescents with non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain expressed different service needs compared to those with traumatic musculoskeletal injuries. However, the need to address the social and emotional impacts of pain, injury, and rehabilitation was universally recognised.
Clinical Trial Registration:
The wider programme of research including this qualitative study is registered and listed on the ISRCTN registry with study registration number ISRCTN18918987.
