Swedish Physiotherapists Research Articles

Professional role and autonomy in physiotherapy. A study of Swedish physiotherapists

A study of 163 physiotherapists' conception of their professional role and autonomy and the implications for their work has been completed. About half (55%) felt that physicians and other staff members primarily expected them to act as independent professionals, while about one-third (34%) felt that they were expected to undertake treatment after referral from or discussion with the physician. Most physiotherapists (86%) were firmly in control of their treatment methods, but had somewhat restricted freedom in deciding whom to treat, and when to terminate treatment. The majority (96%) regarded their professional tasks as being important for others. Few (14%) had carried out any systematic evaluation of their methods and results--hence few obtained any objective feedback from their work, which is believed to affect the quality of work, as well as work motivation and job satisfaction.

A survey of the physiotherapy treatment methods for infants hospitalised with acute airway infections in Sweden

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate what treatment methods physiotherapists in Sweden use for infants 0–24 months hospitalised with acute breathing difficulties due to lower respiratory tract infections. Material and methods We constructed an anonymous digital survey for paediatric physiotherapists in Sweden. It was distributed by e-mail and was posted on professional websites. Completed forms were obtained from all 21 counties in Sweden. Results Eighty-eight physiotherapists replied and 52 worked with the target group. Different treatment methods were used, based on the situation and the individual’s symptom. The most common methods involved physical activity and change of the body position. Conclusions A variety of treatment methods are used by the Swedish physiotherapists. The most commonly used are treatment methods involving frequent changes of the body position and stimulation to physical activity. Thus, the praxis in Sweden seem to differ from methods described in the literature. Methods are chosen depending on the symptoms of the patients. No differences in the choice of treatment methods were found regarding the physiotherapists’ background characteristics.

An inter-tester reliability and feasibility study of the Manual Physiotherapeutic Correction (MFK) method

Background: The Czech Manual Physiotherapeutic Correction (MFK) Method® was introduced to Swedish physiotherapists. This study evaluated the inter-tester reliability of the manual muscle testing procedure included in the method. The feasibility of the MFK Method®, when used in Sweden, was also investigated.Methods: Two Czech physiotherapists, experienced in the MFK Method®, rated performance of the 41 tests included in the manual muscle testing procedure for 20 participants. Cohen’s kappa statistics were performed to evaluate agreement between the raters. When investigating the feasibility of the method, two Swedish physiotherapists used the MFK Method® in the rehabilitation of 10 patients.Results: Kappa values varied from −0.06 to 0.84. After adjusting for prevalence of failed tests, 15 of the 41 muscle tests demonstrated values of >0.40. When using the MFK Method® in Sweden, several practical obstacles were found.Conclusion: Most of the tests showed low inter-tester reliability. The testing procedure needs to be further standardized and the practical issues solved before the feasibility of the method, when used in Sweden and/or other countries, can be investigated again.

Chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises for cardiac surgery patients in Sweden - A National survey of practice

Various chest physiotherapy techniques are recommended after cardiac surgery around the world. There is limited published data on what breathing exercises actually are recommended to patients after surgery in Europe. The aim of this national survey was to establish the current practice of chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises for adult patients following cardiac surgery in Sweden. A postal questionnaire was sent to a total population sample of 33 Swedish physiotherapists working at the departments of cardiothoracic surgery in December 2007 and January 2008. In total, 29 replies (88%) were received. Seven male and twenty two female physiotherapists completed the questionnaire. All physiotherapists instructed, on a regular basis, the cardiac surgery patients to perform post-operative breathing exercises. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) breathing was routinely used as the first choice for treatment by 22 (83%) of the physiotherapists. Expiratory pressures used varied between 2 and 20 cm H2O. Recommended frequency and duration of the exercises varied from 4 to 30 breaths hourly during the daytime in the first post-operative days. All physiotherapists provided coughing support to the patients. Recommendations to continue breathing exercises after discharge varied from not at all up to 3 months after surgery. Breathing exercises are regularly prescribed during the initial post-operative days after cardiac surgery in Sweden. Hourly deep breathing exercises performed with or without a PEP device were reported to be first choice treatments during the hospital stay. Instructions concerning how long patients should continue the exercises after discharge varied notably.

The First Historical Movements of Kinesiology: Scientification in the Borderline between Physical Culture and Medicine around 1850

The kinesiology concept is used worldwide and by many different professional groups with scientific aspirations. Yet nobody seems to know much about where it comes from and why it came into existence. This article traces the origins of the concept back to one of Sweden's greatest cultural exports of the nineteenth century – Swedish gymnastics – and the efforts of especially Swedish physiotherapists and physical educators to spread its scientific doctrines throughout the world. Primarily their goal was to convert the representatives of conventional medicine (pharmacology) into a more mechanical mode of understanding and curing illness (physiotherapy). While following in the footsteps of one physiotherapist/physical educator –‘the father of kinesiology’– and examining the ideological and historical conditions his so-called ‘mission’ was ruled by, the social construction of knowledge and science is made visible in a way seldom highlighted in the history of medicine and physical education.

Conceptions of physiotherapy knowledge among Swedish physiotherapists: a phenomenographic study

Objectives and design Knowledge in physiotherapy is based on both scientific evidence and clinical practice. Different perspectives of knowledge generate different implications for theory development. The aim of this qualitative, phenomenographic study was to describe physiotherapists’ conceptions of physiotherapy knowledge. Intervention and participants Open, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 physiotherapists working in different sectors of physiotherapy. The transcribed material was analysed according to phenomenographic analysis. Results The physiotherapists’ conceptions of various aspects of physiotherapy knowledge are described by four qualitatively different categories: (a) interaction, i.e. the ability to create opportunities for patients and develop patients’ competencies, equally influenced by both theoretical and practical knowledge, with a patient-oriented perspective conceiving the physiotherapist as a coach; (b) personal competencies, i.e. the ability to provide good therapy influenced more by practical knowledge oriented towards the physiotherapist; (c) professional demands, i.e. the ability to be professional according to rules and scientifically proven interventions, influenced more by theoretical knowledge oriented towards the physiotherapist; and (d) scientific areas, i.e. the ability to use different knowledge, as an expert, in the interaction with the patient, strongly influenced by theoretical knowledge and oriented towards the patient. Conclusions The results can contribute to physiotherapy students’ understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of physiotherapy. The paradigm of physiotherapy must be studied further in order to understand and explain its complexity.

A Cross-national Replication of Physiotherapists' Perspectives on Professional Practice

A survey was conducted to investigate attitudes towards professional knowledge and practice of 1,017 Japanese physiotherapists. The questionnaire consisted of 22 statements and demographic variables. The final response rate was 57.7 per cent and the respondents' age ranged from 23 to 72 (mean ± SD: 32.9 ± 8.4) years. The statements were organised into six dependent variables. The findings indicated that the majority of the respondents supported a humanistic approach, showing less concern for the personal and socio-psychological problems of the client. Gender differences on professional practice were small, but women tended to endorse a more holistic view of treatment placing emphasis on the client's responsibility and promotion of their coping skills. Comparative analyses of Japanese and Australian physiotherapists revealed that Australian men placed emphasis on treatment methods and techniques and holistic and work domain attitudes. Australian women endorsed all the attributions and attitudes except interaction attributions. Swedish physiotherapists highly endorsed technique attributions as well as a holistic view of professional practice. Findings are discussed within the framework of the attribution theory and in the context of viewing physiotherapy as a biomedical science or as a caring profession, as well as from historical and cultural perspectives.

What do Swedish physiotherapists feel about research? A survey of perceptions, attitudes, intentions and engagement

Although the past decades have witnessed an increase in physiotherapy research, there remains a concern about the translation of research into clinical practice, a problem that to date has attracted relatively limited interest. The aim of the present study was to investigate perceptions and attitudes toward research, intentions to perform as well as actual engagement in research-related activities in a sample of Swedish physiotherapists. A cross-sectional design was used, and 343 Swedish physiotherapists responded to a postal questionnaire (representing a response rate of 61.7%). Questions about research-related activities were measured on a Likert-type scale, whereas questions referring to attitudes toward research used a semantic differential scale. The physiotherapists considered research as an important part of their professional role. Reading research literature was perceived as the most important research activity, and all mean attitude ratings were on the positive side of the scale. High workload and lack of time were the most commonly mentioned barriers to participation in research-related activities. Although Swedish physiotherapists read a large variety of journals, they most frequently read in their own language. The physiotherapists in this study were generally positive about research, which offers hope for an increased use of evidence-based practice in the future. In order to facilitate this development, easily accessible summaries could be provided. A cultural change within the profession, allowing more time for reading and discussing research reports should be encouraged.

Acupuncture treatment: side effects and complications reported by Swedish physiotherapists

In 1984 the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare approved of acupuncture to be used for pain alleviation by registered medical staff. Acupuncture is considered a relatively safe method of treatment with few side effects. However, reports on complications and side effects do exist.1–5 The side effects described range from minor events to lifethreatening complications and the number of documented cases in relation to the number of practitioners is very low, especially if a comparison is made with traditional pharmacological therapy.3 Inspired by an English survey, in which volunteers were asked to report the incidence of adverse effects in their acupuncture practice,6 we performed a pilot study in 1998.7 Since empirical data suggest that there are positive side effects associated with acupuncture, we decided to study these as well as the negative side effects. The pilot study included 55 physiotherapists (PTs) who during a period of 4 weeks performed 2793 treatments and registered all the positive and negative side effects and complications that occurred in relation to the acupuncture treatments.5 Positive side effects were reported in approximately 21% of the treatments. The most frequent positive side effect was a pleasant feeling of fatigue. Negative side effects were observed in 16% of the treatments – bleeding and bruises being the most frequent ones. No life-threatening complications were reported.7 The pilot study included a limited number of registrations during a limited time, but was the first study to report on positive side

Attitudes of novice physiotherapists to their professional role: A gender perspective

Most Swedish physiotherapists are women, but an increasing number of men are entering the profession. The aim of this qualitative study was to examine the experience of eight novice physiotherapists. In-depth interviews with four female and four male novice physiotherapists were conducted. The analyses used Grounded Theory and ideal model. Gender, context and time were identified as important analytical categories. Four ideal types, which reflect the attitudes of the novices to the profession, were constructed. The attitudes of the female physiotherapists were used to construct the ideal types called the 'Supervisor' and the 'Treater'. They were patient-oriented and experienced great job satisfaction in their close relationship with patients. They had an open mind as to their future professional activities. The attitudes of the male physiotherapists were used to construct the ideal types called the 'Coach' and the 'Entrepreneur'. They were team-oriented and unsatisfied with team leaders, salaries and organisation. They were choice-decided as to their future professional activities. In the primary health care setting, the physiotherapists wished to cooperate upwards with others in the organisational hierarchy as well as outside the health care organisation. In hospitals, the physiotherapists wished to cooperate horizontally or downwards with others in the hierarchy.

A comparison of Australian and Swedish physiotherapists' views of professional practice

Australian and Swedish physiotherapists' attitudes towards their knowledge and professional practice were compared. Attitudes reflecting the new public health model emphasising therapist-client interaction, client responsibility and holistic attitudes towards health care prevailed in both national groups, although generally these attitudes were endorsed to a greater extent by the Swedes than by the Australians. Gender differences within each national group were found with female physiotherapists in both countries expressing more holistic attitudes than males. Differences between Australian physiotherapists working within the public health sector and those in private practice were found, indicating that further research is required to investigate the effect of workplace setting and professional practice.

Physiotherapy in stroke rehabilitation: Bases for Australian physiotherapists’ choice of treatment

In a survey of Swedish physiotherapists working in neurology, the treatment of individuals following stroke was found to be essentially praxis-oriented (Nilsson and Nordholm, 1992). The present study replicated the Swedish survey in order to compare the responses of Australian physiotherapists with those of their Swedish colleagues. The questionnaire, designed to establish choice of treatment, factors influencing and theoretical bases for the choice of treatment, and attitudes towards new methods, was sent to the 331 members of the Neurology Special Interest Group of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. The response rate was 72%. Respondents viewed experience working with patients as the most important factor influencing current choice of treatment. As in the Swedish study, although the respondents were able to describe their treatment choices, they had difficulty explaining the underlying theoretical basis for their choice. Difficulty providing a scientific and rational explanation for intervention may have implications for the future development of physiotherapy as a clinical science.

Physical Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation: Bases for Swedish Physiotherapists' Choice of Treatment

he aims of this study were to investigate (1) physiotherapy treatment strategies, (2) the bases for choice of treatment and (3) attitudes among physiotherapists who work with stroke patients of introducing new methods of treatment. Questionnaires were posted to all the 213 members of the Neurological Section of the Swedish Physiotherapy Association, 66% of which were returned. Thirteen were excluded due to lack of experience. Of the remaining 128 physiotherapists, the majority (91%) worked in regional hospitals. Experience of working with patients was considered as most important for the physiotherapists' present view of treatment, while basic training, theory and literature were considered less important. Detailed statements of the treatment of stroke patients were common among the respondents, whereas the theoretical explanations for their selected method of treatment were less elaborate. An open attitude to change and the introduction of new methods of treatment was evident among 75% of the respondents.

Professional role and autonomy in physiotherapy. A study of Swedish physiotherapists

A study of 163 physiotherapists' conception of their professional role and autonomy and the implications for their work has been completed. About half (55%) felt that physicians and other staff members primarily expected them to act as independent professionals, while about one-third (34%) felt that they were expected to undertake treatment after referral from or discussion with the physician. Most physiotherapists (86%) were firmly in control of their treatment methods, but had somewhat restricted freedom in deciding whom to treat, and when to terminate treatment. The majority (96%) regarded their professional tasks as being important for others. Few (14%) had carried out any systematic evaluation of their methods and results--hence few obtained any objective feedback from their work, which is believed to affect the quality of work, as well as work motivation and job satisfaction.

Masculinisation and professionalisation of the physiotherapy profession: A study of Swedish physiotherapists

This paper presents the results of a questionnaire on how physiotherapists in Vasterbotten, northern Sweden, view their job. Of the 163 respondents, 76% were female and 24% were male. Most worked in in-patient somatic/geriatric care (34%) and primary health care (27%). A total of 58% worked full-time. Relatively more men (72%) than women (39%) worked in non-institutionalised care. The proportion of male physiotherapists increased from 15% before 1980 to 38% after 1980. Also, the proportion of graduates entering full-time physiotherapy increased from 41 to 86%; this was due to both the increased number of male graduates and the increasing number of women working full-time. The main reason for entering the profession had shifted from ‘I want to work with people’ to a concept of physiotherapy as a ‘free and independent occupation'. Many also thought that there was a ‘good labour market’ for physiotherapists. More recent graduates viewed the educational programme as being more adequate than those who graduate...

Toward Dimorphics: A Summary Statement to the Conference on Occupational Segregation

Previous articleNext article No AccessSummary StatementToward Dimorphics: A Summary Statement to the Conference on Occupational SegregationMyra H. StroberMyra H. Strober Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Signs Volume 1, Number 3, Part 2Spring, 1976Women and the Workplace: The Implications of Occupational Segregation Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/493299 Views: 2Total views on this site Citations: 3Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1976 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Birgitta Bergman, Staffan Marklund Masculinisation and professionalisation of the physiotherapy profession: A study of Swedish physiotherapists, Physiotherapy Practice 5, no.22 (Jul 2009): 55–64.https://doi.org/10.3109/09593988909044414R. W. Connell Theorising Gender, Sociology 19, no.22 (May 1985): 260–272.https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038585019002008Francine D. Blau Discrimination Against Women: Theory and Evidence, (Jan 1984): 53–89.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5636-0_3