Physiotherapy extended-role practitioner for individuals with hip and knee arthritis: patient perspectives of a rural/urban partnership.

Purpose: To explore the perspectives of people with hip and knee arthritis regarding a physiotherapy extended-role practitioner (ERP) model of care in a rural setting.

Method: Using semi-structured interviews, a qualitative descriptive case study was undertaken with 13 participants from a rural family practice located in the province of Ontario, Canada, who had all been assessed by an ERP. Transcribed interviews were analyzed for emergent themes.