The Physio2Future model and its eligibility for sustainable physiotherapy

Article accepted

This article has been accepted for publication. Peer reviews and author responses are available at the end of the article.

Abstract

Background: Vulnerabilities of physiotherapy, such as the question of uniqueness, sustainability, and internal conflicts of interest appear to slow the unleashing potential of physiotherapy for becoming a sustainable resource in the healthcare system. Aim: This work aims (1) to construct a thought model as an orientation tool for sustainable physiotherapy and (2) to evaluate for the first time its suitability as an orientation for sustainable physiotherapy.
Method: A hypothetical and narrative approach was applied to construct the Physio2Future model. A descriptive approach based on structured qualitative content analysis was used to obtain reflections from physiotherapists on the suitability of the model for sustainable physiotherapy. Interviews were conducted with 10 physiotherapists in a variety of positions.
Results: The hypothetical approach resulted in the construction of the model with 6 dimensions, and 21 variables assigned to the dimensions. The descriptive approach resulted in confirmations and innovations for changes by the interviewed physiotherapists. Autonomy and human-centeredness are interpreted by worries about enforcement. It was also advised to replace essential elements of the model. Conclusion: The Physio2Future model was perceived for the first time as a suitable orientation for sustainable physiotherapy. With the support of expert discussions, the model will be discussed more closely.
Keywords: Physiotherapy, sustainability, health for future, conscientious physiotherapy, environmental health

Reviews

Author: Michael Rowe
Review date: 17 March 2023
DOI: to be allocated
Permalink: Review - The Physio2Future model and its eligibility for sustainable physiotherapy

This reviewer has asked to remain anonymous. The author of the review, as stated above, is the journal editor, posting on behalf of the reviewer.

1. Complete, coherent, and well-organised presentation: Unfortunately, I have read the paper several times, and I simply do not understand what it is about. There are dozens of home-made abbreviations – not sustainable and not paying attention to universal design (which is completely at odds with sustainable physiotherapy). These abbreviations make the text hard to read and harder to understand. The article needs professional copy editing from German-English to English-English. Very long sentences and some of them are unintelligible.

2. Sufficient explanation of the significance of the problem: There is no introduction that states the context, the aim or the research questions clearly.

3. Clear demonstration of the relevance to the field (beyond the case presented): Not demonstrated.

4. Original contribution to the topic of physiotherapy education: There are a lot of unsubstantiated claims about physiotherapy that I neither recognize nor can follow. There is no introduction to where this study sits, no examples from the context where the material is produced, and a poorly considered use of some concepts e.g. sustainability.

5. Compelling presentation of the problem within a theoretical framework (where appropriate): Not demonstrated.

6. Establishment of a relationship between the problem and other relevant literature: Not demonstrated.

7. Appropriate research design and method: Not demonstrated.

8. Accurate and useful interpretation: The tunnel-model has two timelines. Despite this, the elements are not presented in the same order below – which disturbs both the reading and the model.

9. Sound argument and analysis: Not demonstrated.

10. Effective conclusion about the implications for physiotherapy education, research, and/or practice: Not demonstrated.

 

Author: David Duindam
Review date: 16 February 2023
DOI: to be allocated
Permalink: Review - The Physio2Future model and its eligibility for sustainable physiotherapy

Please provide a review in the form of a summary that addresses the following main themes.

Overall, an interesting, thought-provoking article.

1. Complete, coherent, and well-organized presentation: Generally yes. In the introduction, you may want to consider defining what exactly you mean by ‘sustainable Physiotherapy’.  For the context of this article, it may help readers orientate themselves to your points. Sustainability can have many forms e.g. environmental, economic etc.

2. Sufficient explanation of the significance of the problem: Yes

3. Clear demonstration of the relevance to the field (beyond the case presented): Yes

4. Original contribution to the topic of physiotherapy education: Yes

5. Compelling presentation of the problem within a theoretical framework (where appropriate): Yes, the article is thought-provoking about the vulnerabilities of Physiotherapy as a profession among other topics.

6. Establishment of a relationship between the problem and other relevant literature: Yes

7. Appropriate research design and method: Yes

8. Accurate and useful interpretation: Yes

9. Sound argument and analysis: Generally, yes

10. Effective conclusion about the implications for physiotherapy education, research, and/or practice: A very short conclusion is presented.

If, in addition to the points above, you could provide more detailed comments and feedback below, that would also be appreciated.

Abstract

“appear to slow the unleashing potential of physiotherapy” – consider re-wording

Introduction/background

“The vulnerability of physiotherapy (PT), for example, as a challenge in providing effective and relevant treatment strategies” – consider re-wording

“Moreover, the almost all-encompassing economisation that seems to affect the overall quality and sustainability of medicine today can also be understood as a weakness for PT” – Great point

“As more focus is on price and economical competition as worse the quality of PT becomes for patients’ care and creates other negative influences in the value-based health approach”  – consider re-wording

“But also, physiotherapists as employees benefit from a human-centered orientation in terms of clinical quality and sustainability” – consider using ‘However’ instead

“The barriers to the acceptance of the dimensions, methods, strategies, and approaches relevant to the sustainability of PT have been initialized and reinforced in different ways.” – May need a reference for this sentence

“basic dimensions such as evidence, autonomy, clinical relevance, and some more” – consider re-wording

“The P2FM must be convinced as a hypothetical “thought model” to provide a clearer picture and orientation of a sustainable and worthy profession for the healthcare system to conscientious physiotherapists in different major sections (clinical, educational, managing).” – consider re-wording

Methods

by the author of this project over a period of the least 5 years. – last

Results

“Other answers were like” – consider re-wording

Discussion

“The concerns of some managers about the question of human-centered” – consider re-wording

“This argument does not argue against the need for human-centeredness” – consider re-wording

“One of the most important tasks of conscientious PT can be expected in the dimension of sustainability in terms of the environmental impact” – consider re-wording, possibly use “it’s” or re-word the sentence to make it more clear

Conclusion

“Thereby, the factors of identification and sustainability should always be respected” – Consider re-wording. Using the word ‘Thereby” implies a connection to the previous sentence, in this case, it may need to be more clear what you mean by this.

 

Amendments made to this article following review

There are currently no details of changes to the article as a result of the review process.

Conflict of interest statement

This project has no external funder and was initialized by the developer of the model appearing in it. Therefore, unconscious conflicts of interest cannot be completely ruled out, such as accepting criticism of this model. However, other conflicts of interest are excluded.

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