Approaches to osteoarthritis: a qualitative study among physical therapists in Maharashtra, India

• Background and Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major and growing problem in India. Better knowledge dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practice in Indian physical therapy require a better understanding of approaches to OA (i.e. perceptions of the condition and its management by Indian physical therapists (PTs)) which was the aim of our study. Design and Method: We used qualitative content analysis to analyze semi-structured interviews with 19 PTs from Maharashtra state, purposefully selected to represent both sexes, different ages and different educational and professional backgrounds. Findings: We identified a main overarching theme of meaning, OA as adegenerative and irreversible condition with the four descriptive themes Assessment, Standardized treatment protocol, Leadership and Patient compliance as PTs’ approaches to OA. The descriptive themes indicate that much focus seems to be on pain, physical impairments and biomechanics, with initial treatments being mainly passive. Communication appears to be mainly unidirectional with the PTs instructing the patients, who are expected to comply with PTs instructions. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were not mentioned. Conclusions: Our findings can inform the design of awareness campaigns on evidence-based OA management and increase the understanding of the educational needs of students and PTs in non-Western countries. It is important to recognize that CPGs are mainly based on studies carried out in Western countries and that there are context-specific barriers to implementation in other parts of the world that have large populations. © 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Subject headings

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

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

Keyword

degenerative

Interviews

irreversible

management

perceptions

qualitative research

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)