Advanced physiotherapy practice: a qualitative study on the potential challenges and barriers to implementation in Ghana
Advanced physiotherapy practice: a qualitative study on the potential challenges and barriers to implementation in Ghana
Objective: To identify the potential challenges and barriers to the implementation of Advanced Physiotherapy Practice (APP) in Ghana. Methods: A basic interpretive qualitative study design was conducted, with a semi-structured focus group comprising eight physiotherapists and a one-to-one interview with the director of orthopedic surgery in the second largest hospital in Ghana. Participants were sampled purposefully to ensure they had a clear understanding of APP. Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed, coded and thematic analysis was performed. Findings: Four key themes were identified as potential challenges to the implementation of APP in Ghana. Theme 1 Jurisdictional Disputes: Physiotherapists believed doctors will not accept the practice, while the doctor interviewed was willing to accept the practice. Theme 2: Management Support: Support from management was identified as a potential barrier to APP implementation due to workplace culture and liability. Theme 3 Change in Law and Policy: APP could be hindered if there is no legislative support and policies in place. Theme 4 Postgraduate Training: This was identified as key to the implementation of APP since there is no such level of training in Ghana. Conclusion: Barriers to health-care programs are often not identified and addressed prior to their implementation in developing countries, leading to program failure. Addressing these four barriers and challenges could ensure the successful implementation of APP in Ghana. APP has the potential to improve access to rural health-care delivery and augment the shortage of health professionals in developing countries.
Advanced physiotherapy practice, developing country, extended scope of practice, musculoskeletal practice, new model of care
1-9
Tawiah, Andrews Kwabena
aad23c83-7721-4683-ad24-43c1fc211127
Borthwick, Alan
b4d1fa51-182d-4296-b5fe-5b7c32ef6f9d
Woodhouse, Linda
e54e1bc2-1918-4be1-bf8e-9013e595891c
Tawiah, Andrews Kwabena
aad23c83-7721-4683-ad24-43c1fc211127
Borthwick, Alan
b4d1fa51-182d-4296-b5fe-5b7c32ef6f9d
Woodhouse, Linda
e54e1bc2-1918-4be1-bf8e-9013e595891c
Tawiah, Andrews Kwabena, Borthwick, Alan and Woodhouse, Linda
(2018)
Advanced physiotherapy practice: a qualitative study on the potential challenges and barriers to implementation in Ghana.
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, .
(doi:10.1080/09593985.2018.1484535).
Abstract
Objective: To identify the potential challenges and barriers to the implementation of Advanced Physiotherapy Practice (APP) in Ghana. Methods: A basic interpretive qualitative study design was conducted, with a semi-structured focus group comprising eight physiotherapists and a one-to-one interview with the director of orthopedic surgery in the second largest hospital in Ghana. Participants were sampled purposefully to ensure they had a clear understanding of APP. Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed, coded and thematic analysis was performed. Findings: Four key themes were identified as potential challenges to the implementation of APP in Ghana. Theme 1 Jurisdictional Disputes: Physiotherapists believed doctors will not accept the practice, while the doctor interviewed was willing to accept the practice. Theme 2: Management Support: Support from management was identified as a potential barrier to APP implementation due to workplace culture and liability. Theme 3 Change in Law and Policy: APP could be hindered if there is no legislative support and policies in place. Theme 4 Postgraduate Training: This was identified as key to the implementation of APP since there is no such level of training in Ghana. Conclusion: Barriers to health-care programs are often not identified and addressed prior to their implementation in developing countries, leading to program failure. Addressing these four barriers and challenges could ensure the successful implementation of APP in Ghana. APP has the potential to improve access to rural health-care delivery and augment the shortage of health professionals in developing countries.
Text
Advanced Physiotherapy Practice: A qualitative study on the potential challenges and barriers to implementation in Ghana
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 31 March 2018
e-pub ahead of print date: 13 June 2018
Keywords:
Advanced physiotherapy practice, developing country, extended scope of practice, musculoskeletal practice, new model of care
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 422122
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/422122
ISSN: 0959-3985
PURE UUID: f35f0fae-d6c0-4318-ae0e-05a63346575d
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Date deposited: 17 Jul 2018 16:30
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 06:49
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Contributors
Author:
Andrews Kwabena Tawiah
Author:
Alan Borthwick
Author:
Linda Woodhouse
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