What are the perceived needs of Pakistani women in the North west of England in relation to physiotherapy, and to what extent do they feel their needs are being met?
OBJECTIVE
To gain an insight into the needs of female Pakistani service users in relation to physiotherapy.


METHODS
A qualitative research design was utilised, drawing on ethnographic traditions and including ethnographic interviews. The interviews were transcribed and the data were analysed using thematic analysis.


METHODS
A venue of the service user's own choosing in one geographical area of the North west of England.


METHODS
Six, Pakistani, Muslim female patients who had recently received physiotherapy from a range of specialisms. Five participants came to the UK from Pakistan, and one participant of Pakistani heritage came to the UK from East Africa. An interpreter was used in four of the six interviews.


RESULTS
Four main themes emerged from data analysis: issues of gender; language issues including the subthemes of crosscultural communication, time and materials; role of exercise; and acquiescence.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that physiotherapy provision for female patients with Pakistani backgrounds may be failing to meet their needs, which may affect compliance. In order to address these issues, culturally competent health care needs to be provided and the following points are worthy of consideration:
Yeowell
Gillian
G
Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M13 0JA, UK. g.yeowell@mmu.ac.uk
D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D003144:Communication Barriers; D054521:Cultural Competency; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010154:Pakistan / Q000208:ethnology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012737:Sex Factors