Inside the clinic: health professionals' role in their clients' psychological rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND
Health professionals (ie, physical therapists, athletic trainers) can play an integral role in the psychological recovery from injury.


OBJECTIVE
To examine health professionals' perceptions of the roles they play and their influence on the psychological recovery of their clients.


METHODS
A qualitative design using semistructured interviews that were transcribed and analyzed using interpretational analyses to reveal themes.


METHODS
4 rehabilitation clinics specializing in sport- and physical-activity-related injuries.


METHODS
18 participants (17 physical therapists, 1 athletic trainer) with a mean age of 36 years.


RESULTS
Using thematic coding of the interview data, general-dimension data themes identified were centered on the roles of rapport builder, educator, and communicator. Health professionals perceive that they play important roles in the psychological recovery of their clients in spite of a lack of professional training in psychology and strive to create a caring and supportive environment. Results demonstrate the perceptions of the roles they play and the influence they have on the psychological component of the recovery process.
Tracey
Jill
J
Dept of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N21 3C5, Canada.
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D024382:Professional Role; D011594:Psychometrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires