There is a lot of poor qualitative research out there. Recently I reviewed an article in which the authors had spent three years studying people's experiences of chronic pain. They didn't identify any particular philosophy guiding their analysis, they just interviewed seven people and, somehow, came up with three 'themes': that pain was unpleasant; that it was aversive (something to be avoided); and it disrupted their lives. This is a good example of bad qualitative research. And there is a simple test you can apply if ever you're in doubt. All you need to do is to ask whether the research tells you anything you didn't already know. This study took three years, but told us … [Read more...] about Patient work
What brings someone to the Critical Physiotherapy Network?
A few weeks ago we celebrated one year in the life of our little network and our 300th member. Since our inception we've received countless emails from people saying how glad they are that the network exists, and how nice it is that it's being run by such attractive, intelligent and wise people! (They're particularly complementary about our attractiveness). In all seriousness, it does seem as if the network is an idea whose time has come. Maybe there are enough physiotherapists now with the confidence and experience to tackle some of the thorny questions that now beset us? Maybe knowing that there are other people who think 'differently' has given people encouragement to join in? … [Read more...] about What brings someone to the Critical Physiotherapy Network?
Why physiotherapy is not patient centred
Patient centredness is becoming a widely used, but poorly understood, concept in medical practice. It may be most commonly understood for what it is not—technology centred, doctor centred, hospital centred, disease centred (Miller, 2001: 322). There are a lot of practitioners and professional bodies that claim that their practice is patient centred. And why not. If people expect this to be stated as a defining feature of health professional practice today, why wouldn't you say it? After all, we work with patients don't we? We treat people every day. How could we not be patient centred? But isn't it interesting that this needs stating at all? Because how could health care not be patient … [Read more...] about Why physiotherapy is not patient centred
Students of physiotherapy and their raised awareness on stigma and marginalization through health-team work in the Homeless World Cup
Each day over the next week I'll post up an abstract for a paper being presented by a member of the Critical Physiotherapy Network at the In Sickness and In Health conference in Mallorca in June 2015. (You can find more information on the conference here.) Students of physiotherapy and their raised awareness on stigma and marginalization through health-team work in the Homeless World Cup. By Hilde Sylliaas & Anne G. Langaas Health workers can make a difference for people of marginalized groups. Every year two teachers and 8-10 students of physiotherapy from two different physiotherapy educations in Scandinavia participate as a health-team in the Homeless World Cup (football … [Read more...] about Students of physiotherapy and their raised awareness on stigma and marginalization through health-team work in the Homeless World Cup
Connectivity – Contributions from the Network #10 – Paul Lagerman
Thanks to everyone who sent me comments and thoughts on the Connectivity writing project. Over the next few days I'll post up some of the feedback and thoughts that these pieces. Remember to send comments on these things too and I'll pull them all together. This post came from Paul Lagerman - The Naked Physio. Paul Lagerman Historically society has created disability evolving from eras such as the industrial revolution. We have invented and provided practical means and solutions to speed up our lives but at risk of potential harm and injury. Yet once an individual is rendered ‘disabled’ an ostricization occurs from society, with minimal support to re-enable the individual into … [Read more...] about Connectivity – Contributions from the Network #10 – Paul Lagerman