Collaboration between physiotherapists and biokineticists in managing low back pain in an urban setting in South Africa

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most disabling musculoskeletal conditions, affecting functional ability and quality of life. The interdisciplinary collaboration between the physiotherapist and biokineticist is essential to holistic rehabilitative care and optimal patient outcomes, on which a paucity of literature exists. This study aimed at collaboration in the management of LBP. A qualitative interpretive approach was used to understand the phenomena that existed in the professional’s subjective rehabilitative practice. Two focus group discussions were held separately with five biokineticists and eight physiotherapists who were purposively selected from the eThekwini District. Data was thematically analysed to explore individual and interrelated themes. Three themes emerged from discussions and were seamless between professional groups: professional rehabilitative practice ambiguity, environmental construct, and curbing the professional divide. The uncertainty of the roles in various phases of rehabilitation by each professional group i.e. acute, sub-acute and chronic LBP was dominant and lead to professional tension. Professionals working together in a multi-centre clinical setting appeared to facilitate good collaboration, being facilitated by education, good communication and focusing on patient centred care. Participants advocated for undergraduate training to include collaborative professional learning and guidance by higher education committees through continuous professional training.

Keywords: Low back pain, physiotherapy, biokineticist, collaboration, rehabilitation.