Thesis (M App Sci) -- University of South Australia, 1991

M.Tech. / “It is through cooperation, rather than conflict, that your greatest successes will be derived” (www.inspiring-quotes-and-stories.com, 26 March 2007). This proclamation can be aptly applied to the notion that an integrated healthcare team that is open to an interdisciplinary approach to a patient’s healthcare needs, will have the patient’s best interests at heart and most likely a holistic solution as opposed to treating the patient with individual approaches. The aim of this study was to establish the inter-referral patterns between Chiropractors and Physiotherapists in the Western and Northern regions of Johannesburg, as there had been no research conducted in this regard. In this way an assessment of interdisciplinary communication and referral could be established between the two professions and steps could then be initiated to improve this if found necessary. A questionnaire was sent to Chiropractors and Physiotherapists in this region. These questionnaires were tailored to the professional discipline of the subject. It asked a range of questions relating to their background, knowledge of the other profession being surveyed and their opinion on the credibility of the other profession’s ability to treat certain conditions. The results were then tabulated and statistically calculated and verified to establish the end results. The results of this study found that Chiropractors were more open to referrals to Physiotherapists regarding only certain conditions, whilst Physiotherapists were less inclined to refer to Chiropractors in general.

No description available.

Physiotherapists in New Zealand are increasingly learning and practicing Western acupuncture. Western acupuncture as a new and different tool is enhancing and yet challenging physiotherapists practice. This study explores the meaning behind Western acupuncture practice to further understand the implications of its development and possible future direction.Hermeneutic methodology was used because it facilitates the exploration between that which is familiar and that which is unfamiliar. Seven New Zealand physiotherapists qualified to practise Western acupuncture were interviewed about their practice experiences. The data in relation to the phenomenon of inquiry was analysed thematically.The findings revealed a complex array of tensions within physiotherapy because of the differences Western acupuncture brings to physiotherapists' practice. Western acupuncture is a new and useful tool in the physiotherapists 'toolbox'. It is congruent with other physiotherapy practices in that it shares the same scientific neurophysiological foundation. However, the association of Western acupuncture with traditional Chinese acupuncture causes it to be viewed as a complementary medical practice and thus, not completely legitimate as a part of physiotherapy. These tensions are further confounded because the technical rationalist paradigm, upon which physiotherapy is based, values evidence-based practices. The best evidence is perceived to be that gained from the randomised controlled trial. I argue that the randomised controlled trial is poorly suited to the evaluation of complex practices such as Western acupuncture. Such insights also challenge physiotherapy, as a whole, because the available 'evidence' does not acknowledge the complexities of practice involving individual practitioners, their colleagues, the profession, other healthcare professions, patients and the public.The tensions encountered in physiotherapy and Western acupuncture practice have led to a number of recommendations in education, practice, research and legislation. Overall, they suggest a need to develop a more inclusive model of practice development. Western acupuncture is a potentially valuable tool. In order to maximise use of this tool physiotherapy practice understandings need to be extended. This in turn, will assist development of the profession as a whole.

Thesis (Ph. D., Education)--University of Idaho, April 2009. / Major professor: Jerry McMurtry. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-174). Also available online (PDF file) by subscription or by purchasing the individual file.

Little research has explored the dilemmas of practice experienced by practitioners working with rehabilitation clients who are assimilating disabilities, resulting from injury or chronic conditions, into their lives. Consequently, there is limited literature to support educational initiatives or clinicians' decision-making in these settings. Accordingly, this qualitative study was designed to explore 'expert' physical therapists' perceptions of dilemmas of practice in rehabilitation settings. Using an ethnographic design, multiple interviews were conducted over a period of six months with each of ten participants. The researcher's theoretical background and 'insider' role were thoroughly explicated. Interpretive analysis was grounded in three overarching themes that emerged from the participants' accounts and compared with relevant theoretical constructs and research in physical therapy and other health professions. In the first theme the 'authority' of the concept of evidence-based practice as it is currently promoted within physical therapy was questioned. A need was identified to develop rigorous alternative sources of 'evidence' to support current practice that are more congruent with the multifactorial and client-centred nature of rehabilitation service provision. A second theme explored situations interpreted as causing moral distress in which the participants found themselves prevented from acting effectively on behalf of the clients, as a result of admission and discharge decisions and perceived misuse of rehabilitation resources within the organization and health system. The third theme related to the advantages and disadvantages of being involved with the interdisciplinary team. A lack of understanding of different professional philosophies of practice was perceived as a contributing factor to conflict and miscommunication. These themes are related to issues of professional accountability and suggest that physical therapy needs to develop a clearly articulated philosophy and conceptual models, including the concept of client-centred practice, that would reflect practice, serve to guide research and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. Alternative sources of 'best' evidence need to be developed that more realistically reflect complex 'practice' knowledge. In addition, the profession needs to commit to developing a comprehensive ethics curriculum offered in education programs and through interdisciplinary learning opportunities, by which physical therapists will be better prepared for the moral deliberations inherent in their professional role.

No description available.

Thesis (MPhysio)--University of South Australia, 1998

Thesis (MPhysio)--University of South Australia, 1998

Physiotherapists in New Zealand are increasingly learning and practicing Western acupuncture. Western acupuncture as a new and different tool is enhancing and yet challenging physiotherapists practice. This study explores the meaning behind Western acupuncture practice to further understand the implications of its development and possible future direction.Hermeneutic methodology was used because it facilitates the exploration between that which is familiar and that which is unfamiliar. Seven New Zealand physiotherapists qualified to practise Western acupuncture were interviewed about their practice experiences. The data in relation to the phenomenon of inquiry was analysed thematically.The findings revealed a complex array of tensions within physiotherapy because of the differences Western acupuncture brings to physiotherapists' practice. Western acupuncture is a new and useful tool in the physiotherapists 'toolbox'. It is congruent with other physiotherapy practices in that it shares the same scientific neurophysiological foundation. However, the association of Western acupuncture with traditional Chinese acupuncture causes it to be viewed as a complementary medical practice and thus, not completely legitimate as a part of physiotherapy. These tensions are further confounded because the technical rationalist paradigm, upon which physiotherapy is based, values evidence-based practices. The best evidence is perceived to be that gained from the randomised controlled trial. I argue that the randomised controlled trial is poorly suited to the evaluation of complex practices such as Western acupuncture. Such insights also challenge physiotherapy, as a whole, because the available 'evidence' does not acknowledge the complexities of practice involving individual practitioners, their colleagues, the profession, other healthcare professions, patients and the public.The tensions encountered in physiotherapy and Western acupuncture practice have led to a number of recommendations in education, practice, research and legislation. Overall, they suggest a need to develop a more inclusive model of practice development. Western acupuncture is a potentially valuable tool. In order to maximise use of this tool physiotherapy practice understandings need to be extended. This in turn, will assist development of the profession as a whole.