Motivating patients with shoulder and back pain to self-care: can a videotape of exercise support physiotherapy?
OBJECTIVE
The National Health Service is developing an ethos of self-care. Patients are being encouraged to become proficient in helping themselves. This has long been a philosophy of the physiotherapy profession, where self-care between consultations has been an integral part of the treatment process through encouraging the uptake of self-care skills training. This study explored how patients with shoulder and back pain perceived videotaped exercises and instructions to support their routine physiotherapy, and how the videotape was used.


METHODS
A videotape, developed by physiotherapists for patients with musculoskeletal problems, of exercises to view at home was given to patients by their physiotherapists to support their routine physiotherapy consultations. A qualitative methodology was used to examine how patients responded to being given a videotape of exercises and instructions between consultations. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews.


METHODS
The study was based in 26 general practices that had access to practice-based physiotherapists in two primary care trusts in the north-west of England.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients with shoulder and back pain who received a videotape of exercises and advice were interviewed.


RESULTS
Three themes emerged from the data: finding space for exercise; remembering and doing exercises; and supporting the physiotherapy-patient relationship. Patients discussed aspects of motivation, and described how a videotape of exercises might support or inhibit the performance of exercises prescribed by physiotherapists. Patients identified a range of different ways in which they derived support from the videotape.


CONCLUSIONS
The videotape supported patients with a variety of different needs as it enhanced their ability to complete exercises correctly. Videotapes (or DVDs) are useful for patients and could be adopted as a tool to support treatment.
Miller
J S
JS
Halton & St Helens Primary Care Trust, R&D Department, Suite 2 Unit 1H, Midwood House, Widnes WA8 6BH, UK. julia.miller@manchester.ac.uk
Litva
A
A
Gabbay
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001416:Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012648:Self Care; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D014743:Videotape Recording