Kommunefysioterapeuters praksis- og kunnskapsgrunnlag i arbeidet med eldre med fallproblemer

Abstract

The article highlights the primary health care physiotherapists’ clinical knowledge when working with older people at risk of falling. A typical case from clinical practice was used to focus on the physiotherapists’ clinical reasoning process and knowledge base. Through discussions in smaller groups about decision-making, awareness of variations in practice between physiotherapists became clear. Another finding was that the physiotherapists focused on participation and social life aspects of functioning more than aspects of body functioning. External conditions were reported to highly influence the physiotherapists’ way of working. The physiotherapists concluded that fewer variations in practice within the group could improve the work of fall prevention in older people. Many of the physiotherapists wanted to increase the focus on professional discussions. Through focus group discussions a need for further knowledge development evolved. This is a good starting point for working towards a more evidence-based practice.

Keywords

• elderly
• falls
• primary health care
• clinical practice
• knowledge development