Masters Degrees (Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies) by browse.metadata.advisor "Parker, Romy"

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    High-impact chronic pain : barriers and facilitators identified by Western Cape primary healthcare physiotherapists
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Mason, Brett James Nairn; Geiger, Martha; Parker, Romy; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Centre for Rehabilitation Studies.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Purpose of the study: The barriers and facilitators to the provision of effective care for individuals with high-impact chronic pain (HICP) identified by physiotherapists working in the Western Cape primary healthcare (PHC) setting were described to inform the development of curricula, policy, and practise of physiotherapists within the South African PHC system. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted utilising semi-structured interviews of eight purposively selected physiotherapists from Western Cape PHC facilities. Inductive thematic analysis was implemented to interpret the data. Findings: HICP is a complex and disabling condition that adds to physiotherapists’ burden in PHC. Participants identified that patient-centred approaches and collaborative strategies were facilitators to care, while time, patient, systemic, environmental, and physiotherapist factors were barriers. Participant’s identified needs can be summarised as relating to issues of time, knowledge, and support. Conclusion: HICP is a complex and disabling condition that increases the burden on physiotherapists in PHC. Participants recognised that a patient-centred and collaborative approach allows them to better treat these individuals. Multifaceted barriers to offering effective care could be overcome by providing resources such as more physiotherapists, rehabilitation-proficient managers, and pain-specific training in the PHC setting alongside facilitating physiotherapist skills such as innovative practice and networking with existing support structures.