Physiotherapist perspectives of airway clearance techniques in bronchiectasis

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Franks, Lisa J
Walsh, James R
Hall, Kathleen
Adsett, Julie A
Morris, Norman R
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2022
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Introduction: Our understanding regarding the personalization of airway clearance techniques (ACTs) in bronchiectasis is limited. Objective: This study aimed to determine physiotherapist perceptions regarding the prescription of ACTs in inpatients and outpatients with bronchiectasis. Methods: A single-center qualitative study using semi-structured interviews of physiotherapists who treated individuals with bronchiectasis was undertaken. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed using the thematic framework approach described by Braun and Clark. NVivo 12 software assisted with coding and thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Findings were summarized into major conceptual themes. Participant demographic data was also obtained. Results: Eleven physiotherapists participated in the interviews. Central to all themes was the complexity of physiotherapy clinical decision-making regarding ACT prescription. Main themes included: organizational factors (i.e. workload, scope of service, access to resources/ACTs); patient-related factors (i.e. symptom severity, finances, disease-specific knowledge, social commitments, clinical setting, and perceived benefit); and physiotherapist/profession-related factors (i.e. clinical experience, access to professional support and education, awareness of evidence of ACTs, and evaluating ACT effectiveness). Conclusion: Physiotherapists regularly and routinely prescribe ACTs for individuals with bronchiectasis allowing for a multitude of competing factors. These factors should be considered by physiotherapists to enhance the personalized prescription of ACTs and may help promote patient adherence to ACTs to improve outcomes.

Journal Title

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note

This publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advanced online version.

Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Clinical sciences

Sports science and exercise

Science & Technology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy

airway clearance techniques

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Franks, LJ; Walsh, JR; Hall, K; Adsett, JA; Morris, NR, Physiotherapist perspectives of airway clearance techniques in bronchiectasis, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2022

Collections