Physiotherapy in Norwegian nursing homes – a qualitative study of physioterapists’ experiences

Aim: The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences physiotherapists have in providing physiotherapy treatment to residents with long-term care in Norwegian nursing homes, and to look at how physiotherapists are involved in the treatment of residents in the end-of-life phase. Method and material: This article is based on exploratory qualitative interviews with six physiotherapists who work in nursing homes. The interviews were semi-structured and the data was analyzed with systematic text condensation. Findings: The participants largely adopt a traditional physiotherapist role with focus on physical exercises. They recognize that physiotherapists have knowledge and skills that are relevant to residents at the end of life but are scarcely involved in the interdisciplinary team that care for the dying person. Conclusion: Physiotherapists who work in long-term wards in nursing homes spend most of their time on traditional physiotherapy. The participants are not involved in end-of-life treatment or care, but believe that physiotherapists have relevant knowledge and are thus an unexploited resource. The lack of physiotherapists in the multidisciplinary palliative team is a result of the physiotherapists themselves not expressing that they want to contribute, and doctors and nurses not requiring their knowledge in this area. The organization of the physiotherapy service in nursing homes also influences interdisciplinary collaboration.