Development of a framework for person-centred physiotherapy

Background: There is a growing call for healthcare to focus on person-centred practice. This can lead to improved outcomes for patients in terms of physical and psychological health. Challenges exist around how person-centredness is understood in physiotherapy. Having a physiotherapy framework would help support a shared understanding of the meaning of person-centred physiotherapy. Aim: The aim of this study was to locate and synthesise studies which have a conceptualisation of person-centred physiotherapy practice. These were used to develop an overarching conceptual framework for person-centred physiotherapy practice. Methods: The framework was developed through a systematic process involving a systematic literature search, screening studies against eligibility criteria, data extraction, data synthesis, naming and defining core constructs of person-centred physiotherapy practice, and generation of a pictorial representation of an overarching conceptual framework. Results: The person-centred physiotherapy framework is comprised of four constructs: physiotherapist characteristics, which focuses on the knowledge and skills for clinical proficiency, attributes of the physiotherapist, reflection and self-awareness; person-physiotherapist interaction(s), which focuses on partnership, empowerment and self-management; the environment, which focuses on coordinated healthcare delivery, culture of the organisation and practice environment, and the physical environment; and the ongoing unique journey of the person and self-management. The relationships between the constructs reflect the complex nature of person-centred practice. Conclusions: The framework presented can be used to better understand person-centred physiotherapy with a view to enhancing practice. The framework needs to be tested further through empirical research to establish its utility.