The Role of Physical Therapists Within Hospice and Palliative Care in the United States and Canada.

Purpose: Little is known regarding the extent to which physical therapy is integrated into Hospice and Palliative Care (HPC). The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions of physical therapists (PTs) regarding their role within HPC or working with patients having life-threatening illnesses and to develop a conceptual framework depicting a PTs role within HPC and factors affecting it.

Participants: Ten PTs, 5 from the United States and 5 from Canada, with at least 5 years of physical therapy experience and 5 years working experience with patients having life-threatening illnesses or in HPC.

Methods: Demographic data were collected by electronic questionnaire. A semistructured interview was conducted with each participant to investigate their perceptions about the role of PTs in HPC.

Data Analysis: Interview results were analyzed for trends between participants, practice settings, regions, and other sociocultural aspects. The constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis was used to identify similarities and differences and to develop themes and concepts relative to the role of PT in HPC.

Results: Participants identified their 3 primary roles in HPC: providing patient/family care, serving as an interdisciplinary team member, and fulfilling professional responsibilities outside of direct patient care. They described factors within and outside direct patient care which influenced their roles. Concepts included shifting priorities, care across the continuum, and changing perceptions of PTs within HPC.

Clinical Relevance: This study described perceptions of the role of PTs within HPC that may be utilized when coordinating future strategies to appropriately promote and expand the role.