Patient-centredness in physiotherapy from the perspective of the chronic low back pain patient

Objective To define patient-centredness from the patient’s perspective in the context of physiotherapy for chronic low back pain (CLBP). Design Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore perceptions of various aspects of physiotherapy management of CLBP. Setting Physiotherapy departments in one geographical area of the UK National Health Service. Participants Twenty-five individuals who had received physiotherapy for CLBP within the previous 6 months. Results Six key themes emerged as the dimensions that the participants perceived to be important for patient-centred physiotherapy: communication; individual care; decision-making; information; the physiotherapist; and organisation of care. Communication was the most important dimension, underpinning the five other dimensions as well as being a distinct dimension of patient-centred physiotherapy. Conclusions Physiotherapists should have an understanding of the six dimensions of patient-centred physiotherapy for CLBP. Improving physiotherapists’ communication skills may better facilitate patient-centred physiotherapy, and therefore enhance the experience of physiotherapy for this client group. © 2007 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.