The therapeutic role illuminated by students’ experiences

Abstract

Introduction: A new type of student practice has been developed at Oslo and Akershus University College (HiOA), Bachelor students act as physical activity mentors for patients with severe mental disorders. To assure the quality of this practice, the students were interviewed about their practical experiences. Main part: The data show how different therapeutic positions act as dialectical opposites. Examples of such dichotomies are: unsure/self-assured; proximity/distance; professional/private; friend/therapist. During treatment processes the therapist will move between these extremes. The students experienced how challenging this can be. Conclusion: This study shows that when the students practice on their own, they learnt about their therapeutic role and how to adapt their own behaviour to the individual patient. These are fundamental in all physiotherapy treatment.

Keywords

• Therapeutic role
• schizophrenia
• physical activity