An exploratory study into student midwives understanding of the role of the physiotherapist

Background: It is important that health professionals have an understanding of each others' roles in order to promote patient-centred care and services available. Within obstetrics it is necessary, as key information informers, that midwives and student midwives understand the role physiotherapists can offer. Aim: To explore student midwives understanding of physiotherapy in the antenatal and postnatal setting and what role they recognise it plays within UK healthcare. Method: Adopting a qualitative exploratory approach, a focus group was conducted to explore midwifery students' experiences. Data were analysed using an adapted thematic analysis process. Results: Five key themes were identified: 1. Role recognition is needed, 2. Lack of knowledge: ‘But we don't know what a physiotherapist does’, 3. A perceived view, 4. Utilised? ‘Yes. But…’ and 5. Beneficial? Conclusion: Participants recognised the importance for role understanding, had a perceived view of physiotherapy closely related to the Association o...