A Movement Vocabulary to Describe Healthy Aspects of Movement Quality A phenomenological study of expert physical therapists

Project summary

PURPOSE: The study aims at a phenomenological search for healthy movement aspects through exploring the vocabulary used to describe movement by a group of expert physiotherapists. RELEVANCE: Research claims that a vocabulary for describing healthy movement aspects for use in clinical settings is lacking. Physiotherapist requires awareness and means to describe movement quality, not only from a pathological perspective, but also from a healthy perspective in order to communicate. The relevance is to broaden the movement vocabulary for use in physiotherapy and with other health professionals. PARTICIPANTS: 15 peer-designated expert physiotherapists, 5 from each field of neurology, psychiatric physiotherapy and primary health care are planned to be the informants to ensure information from a broad professional area. The informants will be nominated by physical therapist leaders in the region according to a set of criteria. Each nominated physiotherapist will be contacted and informed to ensure their willingness to participate by giving a written informed consent. METHODS: A phenomenological research design will be made. A qualitative study with phenomenological in-depths interviews is chosen as source for the research and an interview guide with semi-structured question will be made. A selection of 10 copies of Fine Art of sculptures and paintings will be integrated in the interview to stimulate the description of the phenomenon. The interviews will be taped, transcribed and sent to the informants for confirmation. ANALYSIS: Giorgis` recommendation concerning analysis of qualitative interviews will be followed. The data of the lived experienced descriptions, told by the physiotherapists, will depict what movement quality meant for them in their professional context. RESULT: Result will be presented in an International Journal with per-review. CONCLUSION: The result might indicate a vocabulary based on a multi-dimensional perspective. To develop a clinical tool, continued analysis and development of the movement vocabulary is needed. IMPLICATIONS: It is necessary for the physiotherapist to have a rich movement vocabulary for clinical use and communication with clients, within physiotherapy as well as with other health professionals. This will make the physiotherapist more conscious about nuances in movement and prepare them for the movement analysis in clinical practice. It is also necessary for the physiotherapist to increase the professional focus on healthy aspects. Hopefully the study will contribute to strengthen the physiotherapists` awareness of a differentiation of movement aspects, views, thinking and concrete action, in order to develop the uniqueness of the profession.