Person‐Centredness and Paternalism: The Dance With Power
2025

Understanding Person-Centredness in French Physiotherapy

Sample size: 7 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Noel Clement, Hebron Clair

Primary Institution: School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton

Hypothesis

How do French physiotherapists conceptualise person-centredness in their practice?

Conclusion

French physiotherapists recognize the importance of person-centred practices but face challenges in power dynamics and decision-making.

Supporting Evidence

  • Participants identified three key aspects of person-centredness: creating relationships, adapting rehabilitation, and giving choices.
  • Challenges in power dynamics were highlighted, affecting the quality of therapeutic relationships.
  • Physiotherapists expressed a commitment to person-centred practices despite facing difficulties in relinquishing control.

Takeaway

This study looks at how physiotherapists in France think about treating patients in a way that focuses on their needs and choices, but they sometimes struggle with how much control to give to the patients.

Methodology

Qualitative phenomenographic study using remote semi-structured interviews.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the researchers' backgrounds as physiotherapists.

Limitations

The study may have selection bias as participants were familiar with person-centredness, and the first author was a novice interviewer.

Participant Demographics

Participants included seven physiotherapists with varying ages, genders, and practice backgrounds.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1002/msc.v23.1.e7003211

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