title: Professional role and autonomy in physiotherapy. A study of Swedish physiotherapists.
abstract: A study of 163 physiotherapists' conception of their professional role and autonomy and the implications for their work has been completed. About half (55%) felt that physicians and other staff members primarily expected them to act as independent professionals, while about one-third (34%) felt that they were expected to undertake treatment after referral from or discussion with the physician. Most physiotherapists (86%) were firmly in control of their treatment methods, but had somewhat restricted freedom in deciding whom to treat, and when to terminate treatment. The majority (96%) regarded their professional tasks as being important for others. Few (14%) had carried out any systematic evaluation of their methods and results--hence few obtained any objective feedback from their work, which is believed to affect the quality of work, as well as work motivation and job satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bergman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000523:psychology*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden