Phenomenology and physiotherapy: meaning in research and practice

Abstract

Background: Phenomenological research has emerged as an important qualitative research methodology in health care, contributing to a comprehensive approach to evidence-informed practice among health-care professionals. Evidence-informed practice in physiotherapy will benefit from integrating phenomenological research in order to attend to the lived-experiences of both clients and therapists involved in physiotherapist–client encounters, building a more sensitive and holistic approach to physiotherapy practice.Objective: This paper explores five major strands of philosophy within the phenomenological tradition and outlines their implications for the study of lived-experiences related to physiotherapy care.Major findings: The phenomenological positions of Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Alfred Schutz, and Max van Manen are discussed. Following a description of each phenomenological view, a brief scenario of how their approach to phenomenological study might be applied to problems in physical therapy practice is addressed. The approaches to phenomenology discussed in the paper are considered in the context of a conceptualization of rigour for phenomenological research.Conclusion: The paper concludes by advocating for multiple approaches to phenomenological research to benefit a diversity of approaches to physiotherapy care.