title: Exploring healthcare communication models in private physiotherapy practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This project explored whether models of healthcare communication are evident within patient-physiotherapist communication in the private practice setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using qualitative ethnographic methods, fifty-two patient-physiotherapist treatment sessions were observed and interviews with nine physiotherapists were undertaken. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In these clinical encounters physiotherapists led the communication. The communication was structured and focussed on physical aspects of the patient's presentation. These features were mediated via casual conversation and the use of touch to respond to the individual patient. Physiotherapists did not explicitly link their therapeutic communication style to established communication models. However, they described a purposeful approach to how they communicated within the treatment encounter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The communication occurring in the private practice physiotherapy treatment encounter is predominantly representative of a 'practitioner-centred' model. However, the subtle use of touch and casual conversation implicitly communicate competence and care, representative of a patient-centred model. Physiotherapists do not explicitly draw from theories of communication to inform their practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physiotherapists may benefit from further education to achieve patient-centred communication. Equally, the incorporation of casual conversation and the use of touch into theory of physiotherapy patient-centred communication would highlight these specific skills that physiotherapists already utilize in practice.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Equity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: a.terry@student.unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hiller
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Equity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Marilys
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guillemin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delany
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D059825:Physical Therapists; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011331:Private Practice; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Casual conversation; Communication; Communication models; Patient-centered care; Physiotherapy; Private practice; Touch