title: Patients' appraisals of public and private healthcare: a qualitative study of physiotherapy and osteopathy.
abstract: Patients have previously reported differences in their experiences of treatments received in the public and private sectors; it remains unclear whether such perceived differences are particular to or shared across different interventions. This study explored whether patients' appraisals of public and private treatments are similar when appraising a complementary therapy (osteopathy) compared to a mainstream therapy (physiotherapy). Thirty-five qualitative interviews were analysed thematically. Patients' appraisals varied by health-care sector and therapy type: physiotherapy was appraised more negatively in the National Health Service than the private sector but osteopathy was appraised similarly within both health-care sectors. Potential reasons for this are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Southampton School of Psychology, UK.
authors.forename: Katherine J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bradbury
authors.forename: Felicity L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yardley
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D017149:Private Sector; D017150:Public Sector; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult