Contextual factors influencing Canadian physiotherapists' clinical reasoning about older adult clients' finances and economics: A qualitative descriptive study.
Introduction: While physiotherapy can be beneficial for older adults, many experience financial barriers to accessing physiotherapy services. There is limited published evidence regarding how physiotherapists consider client finances in their work. Purpose: This study aimed to explore Canadian physi...
| Published in: | Physiotherapy Theory & Practice Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 554 - 567 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Apr2026
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=192729124&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 192729124 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 09593985 BCJ jtl: Physiotherapy Theory & Practice issn: 09593985 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Apr2026 vid: 42 iid: 4 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artinfo: ui: 192729124 189202975 192729124 192729124 10.1080/09593985.2025.2584355 192729124 ppf: 554 ppct: 13 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Contextual factors influencing Canadian physiotherapists' clinical reasoning about older adult clients' finances and economics: A qualitative descriptive study. aug: au: Adedotun, Kafayat Thille, Patricia Conci, Sarah Chesser, Stephanie Engel, Lisa affil: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada sug: subj: Physical Therapist Attitudes Canada Clinical Reasoning Health Services Accessibility In Old Age Physical Therapy Economics Human Male Female Aged Canada Qualitative Studies Economic Aspects of Illness Descriptive Research Reflexivity (Research) Purposive Sample Semi-Structured Interview Thematic Analysis Analytic Research Decision Making, Clinical Job Experience Funding Source Aged: 65+ years Male Female ab: Introduction: While physiotherapy can be beneficial for older adults, many experience financial barriers to accessing physiotherapy services. There is limited published evidence regarding how physiotherapists consider client finances in their work. Purpose: This study aimed to explore Canadian physiotherapists' current practice regarding the inclusion of clients' financial or economic context in clinical reasoning and to identify possible ways to improve physiotherapy services access. Methods: We interviewed nine physiotherapists practicing in Manitoba, Canada, using an in-depth semi-structured guide. We recorded and transcribed each interview and then analyzed transcripts thematically, building upon reflexive thematic analysis and framework approaches. Results: We generated three themes through our analysis: (1) considering older adults' finances in clinical reasoning depends on contextual factors internal and external to the physiotherapists, (2) learning about clients' finances influenced physiotherapists' clinical reasoning, and (3) physiotherapists used varied approaches to address the needs of clients with limited finance. Internal factors included physiotherapists not knowing how to discuss finances with clients and physiotherapists' need to make a liveable wage. External factors included limited resources available to address the needs of clients with limited finances and physiotherapists' caseloads. Conclusions: Including older adults' finances in clinical reasoning is a complex process. There may be a need for systemic changes, such as provision of workplace processes and resources, to encourage physiotherapists to include clients' finances in clinical reasoning. The findings point to the need for educational programs for physiotherapists to ensure comfort and confidence with including finances as part of their standard practice. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Unknown language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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