Patients' perceptions with musculoskeletal disorders regarding their experience with healthcare providers and health services: an overview of reviews.
Alan Chi-Lun-Chiao, Mohammed Chehata, Kenneth Broeker and 6 others
PMID 32983572WHAT IT FOUND
Patients with musculoskeletal pain, arthritis or osteoporosis wanted clear tailored information, respectful communication, trusted clinicians, individualized treatment and smooth care transitions.
Most evidence came from reviews of healthcare services, not physiotherapy alone.
Key findings
01Patients with musculoskeletal disorders reported needing tailored information about their condition, treatment options, self-management and prognosis.
02Patient experience themes included psychological support, understanding expectations, shared decision-making, communication, individualized treatment, trusted expertise, environmental support and continuity of care.
03Only three reviews specifically investigated interactions between patients and physical therapists.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only three reviews specifically investigated patient-physical therapist interactions, so most findings describe healthcare services broadly rather than physiotherapy alone. The authors did not analyse overlap between reviews, so the same primary study may have been counted more than once. Included reviews were heterogeneous and no meta-analysis was possible, so the findings are descriptive themes rather than pooled effects. Many included reviews were rated low or critically low quality by AMSTAR-2. The overview covered adults with musculoskeletal disorders and not all conditions or settings, so it may not apply to every patient group.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that specific physiotherapy or occupational therapy behaviours improve outcomes. This is an overview of reviews of patient experience, not an intervention trial, and only three reviews specifically studied patient-physiotherapist interactions.