An investigation of the factors which influence the degree of patient involvement in the physiotherapeutic consultation

The term patient involvement is widely used within the physiotherapy vocabulary, yet it is poorly defined and understood. Little is known about NHS physiotherapists’ attitudes, knowledge or skills regarding patient involvement. The aims of this thesis were therefore to: i) identify the attributes which define the concept of patient involvement in physiotherapy using a method of concept analysis; ii) investigate physiotherapists’ attitudes towards the involvement of patients by means of a national survey; iii) explore patients’ attitudes towards their involvement in the physiotherapy consultation using a local survey; iv) explore physiotherapists’ ability to recognise effective practice in patient involvement by means of a regional study using video vignettes of simulated consultations; v) ascertain to what extent physiotherapists involve patients in their physiotherapy care by means of an in-depth local observational study