Patients’ experience regarding therapeutic person-centered relationships in physiotherapy services: A qualitative study

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Person-centered care has emerged as a key principle in the provision of health and rehabilitation services. To implement this approach, health professionals must strive to develop a person-centered therapeutic relationship. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators for the establishment of a person-centered relationship, based on the experience of physiotherapy patients. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted based on four focus groups including 31 participants. The focus group discussions were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using the method of constant comparisons. Results: Patients described specific traits, characteristics and behaviors relating to the health professional, the patient and the environment, that they felt may hinder or favor the establishment of therapeutic person-centered relationships. Some participants focused on aspects concerning the health professional, both regarding their characteristics as well as the...