Physical Therapists' Emotional Expressions in Interviews about Factors Important for Interaction with Patients

Abstract

Interactions between patients and physiotherapists have been studied by various researchers. Some results indicate that physiotherapists have an awareness of underlying emotions, but often respond only on an intellectual level. It seems that verbally expressed emotions may be important for interaction between physiotherapists and patients during treatment. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate how many and what verbally expressed emotions physiotherapists state during interviews between physiotherapists and patients. Method The study was a qualitative case study with cross-case analysis according to Shepard et al (1993) and Merriam (1988). Ten informants participated, all of them 'experts in interaction with patients', women, Swedish-speaking, and with at least five years' experience in primary health care. The physiotherapists' emotions were categorised according to Tomkins (1984) and Izard (1977) in the categories of interest/excitement, surprise/startle, enjoyment/joy, sadness, anger/rage, fear/terror, shame/humiliation, contempt and disgust. Results Positive emotions such as interest and joy were expressed most often in the interviews, in situations where physiotherapy had been successful, as joyful contacts with colleagues, or in situations where humour was used as a therapeutic instrument. Surprise, sadness and anger were expressed more seldom and contempt or disgust were not expressed at all in the interviews. Conclusion Verbal expressions of emotions in treatment situations in physiotherapy practice should be promoted more emphatically. This may start a reflective process in both patients and physiotherapists and deepen the understanding of the interaction. (Less)