"An eye for movement". Movement quality - basic element and dimensions in human movement; a qualitative study of the understanding of the phenomenon by a group of clinical physiotherapists.

Project summary

Background: The phenomenon of movement quality is frequently used by physiotherapists in verbal language, written text, theory and clinical practice without clarification, especially from the point of view of lived experience. The study is aiming at further clarifying the phenomenon based on previous research (Skjærven et al 2003; Skjærven et al 2004). Purpose: The aim of the study was to search for the understanding of the phenomenon within a group of physiotherapists with regard to basic elements and dimensions and to generate data through dialogue with the informants, focusing professional and personal experience. Theory: The body of knowledge has roots in a phenomenological and hermeneutic perspective. Method and material: A qualitative interview was chosen as design and source for the research. The first step in the selection-process of informants was to make a committee consisting of chief physiotherapists to nominee a group of ?expert-physiotherapists? based on a set of criteria. 15 physiotherapists from three professional fields are included in the study: (1) neurological PT, (2) municipal PT and (3) psychiatric and psychosomatic PT. Ethical guidelines is followed. An interview guide was made before commencing the study, aiming at ?filling? the phenomenon with meaning entities with regard to the informants` spontaneous experiences, understanding and view concerning the phenomenon. Result: The process of analysis is proceeding, aiming at meaningful and central elements and dimensions of the phenomenon and to form a synthesis. Discussion and Conclusion will be directed towards a possible model containing basic elements and dimensions of the phenomenon of movement-quality.