Exploring clinical reasoning in Austrian mental health physiotherapy: the physiotherapist ' s perspective

• Introduction In mental health physiotherapy, there is a lack of research investigating the assumptions and clinical reasoning strategies of the professionals. A critical view on what is taken for granted within physiotherapy promotes professional development. Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the essence of clinical reasoning of Austrian mental health physiotherapists, and to illuminate the meaning of their experiences. Method Ten semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with Austrian mental health physiotherapists. The transcripts were analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method. Results The informants' clinical reasoning emerged as a process of three perspectives: 1) a relational and interactional perspective; 2) a perspective of wholeness; and 3) a perspective of symptoms. The results were then further interpreted using the theories of intercorporeality and bodily resonance. Conclusion To bring the different clinical reasoning perspectives together to one clinical reasoning process, a discourse of reconciliation is suggested as a favorable strategy, which may be useful both in clinical practice and education.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Mental health physiotherapy

clinical reasoning

phenomenological

hermeneutics

embodiment

philosophy of science

body

phenomenology

therapy

science

Rehabilitation

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)