Clinical reasoning strategies in physical therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical reasoning remains a relatively under-researched subject in physical therapy. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the clinical reasoning of expert physical therapists in 3 different fields of physical therapy: orthopedic (manual) physical therapy, neurological physical therapy, and domiciliary care (home health) physical therapy.


METHODS
The subjects were 6 peer-designated expert physical therapists (2 from each field) nominated by leaders within the Australian Physiotherapy Association and 6 other interviewed experts representing each of the same 3 fields.


METHODS
Guided by a grounded theory method, a multiple case study approach was used to study the clinical practice of the 6 physical therapists in the 3 fields.


RESULTS
A model of clinical reasoning in physical therapy characterized by the notion of "clinical reasoning strategies" is proposed by the authors. Within these clinical reasoning strategies, the application of different paradigms of knowledge and their interplay within reasoning is termed "dialectical reasoning."


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study provide a potential clinical reasoning framework for the adoption of emerging models of impairment and disability in physical therapy.
Edwards
Ian
I
The Brian Burdekin Clinic, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. ian.edwards@unisa.edu.au
Jones
Mark
M
Carr
Judi
J
Braunack-Mayer
Annette
A
Jensen
Gail M
GM
D003625:Data Collection; D003657:Decision Making; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D019359:Knowledge; D008128:Logic; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D011340:Problem Solving; D012106:Research; D012107:Research Design; D013663:Teaching; D013850:Thinking