Developing Countries Immigrants' perceptions of Physiotherapy
Mudi, Rassendyll Ngu (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023112832243
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023112832243
Tiivistelmä
There has been a continuous increase in the number of immigrants from developing countries into Finland and other parts of the world. Their different cultural beliefs, socio-economic standards, and a presumed developing state of physiotherapy create a more challenging and culturally diversified working environment for physiotherapists and other health professionals. Thus, there is a clear indication of exploring ways of improving the skills and knowledge of physiotherapists working with them.
This study aimed to investigate the developing countries' immigrants’ perception of physiotherapy. The intention is to provide relevant information that may be used by physiotherapists and other professionals to improve the quality of care provided to this minority group.
A historical background, descriptions of physiotherapy, and the state of physiotherapy in developing countries have been presented in the literature review to give the reader a better understanding of the topic. The qualitative research method was adopted for this study and 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with immigrants from developing countries.
Analysis of data using the thematic method revealed two main themes “awareness” and “physiotherapy experiences” that described the immigrants’ perception of physiotherapy. The perceptions about awareness were influenced by exposure, access to information and services, and physiotherapy knowledge. Participants reported limited knowledge of the scope of physiotherapy practice and acknowledged there is a low level of awareness in the immigrant community. Meanwhile, perceptions based on physiotherapy experience were influenced by cultural differences, implementation process, and treatment outcome. Patient education, teaching of therapeutic exercises, and demonstration of good professionalism were the best aspects of physiotherapy reported. while language barriers, improper time management, and lack of engagement/interaction during sessions were some of the challenges.
This study has revealed the need to improve awareness and the importance of considering some of the findings when working with immigrants from developing countries. However, most of these views were influenced by the socio-cultural settings in Finland and might not apply to immigrants in other countries. Further studies on the physiotherapists’ perceptions of this group of immigrants might be necessary to give a comparative view.
This study aimed to investigate the developing countries' immigrants’ perception of physiotherapy. The intention is to provide relevant information that may be used by physiotherapists and other professionals to improve the quality of care provided to this minority group.
A historical background, descriptions of physiotherapy, and the state of physiotherapy in developing countries have been presented in the literature review to give the reader a better understanding of the topic. The qualitative research method was adopted for this study and 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with immigrants from developing countries.
Analysis of data using the thematic method revealed two main themes “awareness” and “physiotherapy experiences” that described the immigrants’ perception of physiotherapy. The perceptions about awareness were influenced by exposure, access to information and services, and physiotherapy knowledge. Participants reported limited knowledge of the scope of physiotherapy practice and acknowledged there is a low level of awareness in the immigrant community. Meanwhile, perceptions based on physiotherapy experience were influenced by cultural differences, implementation process, and treatment outcome. Patient education, teaching of therapeutic exercises, and demonstration of good professionalism were the best aspects of physiotherapy reported. while language barriers, improper time management, and lack of engagement/interaction during sessions were some of the challenges.
This study has revealed the need to improve awareness and the importance of considering some of the findings when working with immigrants from developing countries. However, most of these views were influenced by the socio-cultural settings in Finland and might not apply to immigrants in other countries. Further studies on the physiotherapists’ perceptions of this group of immigrants might be necessary to give a comparative view.