Experience of physiotherapeutic care in pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: A qualitative study from a primary care perspective.

Abstract

Introduction: Although pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a common cause of pain, there seem to be deficiencies in healthcare, regarding both knowledge and awareness of the condition. There is clearly a need for more research in the field of PPGP.

Objective: The aim was to highlight how people affected by PPGP experience physiotherapeutic care in the primary care setting in Sweden.

Methods: This qualitative interview study applied an inductive approach. The participants were selected through strategic sampling in primary healthcare units and via snowball sampling. Sixteen individual interviews were analyzed via qualitative content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman.

Results: The analysis identified one overarching theme: Reflection on the participants' experiences cracks the façade, exposing a great need for healthcare. This theme is based on the participants' descriptions of initially feeling satisfied with the care they received for PPGP. However, when given the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, the participants clearly expressed wishes for improvements in physiotherapists' competence and interventions. The participants also emphasized a great desire to improve society's understanding of female-coded diagnoses.

Conclusions: The results highlight the participants' ambivalent experience of healthcare for PPGP. Paying attention to the diagnosis and taking it seriously should be emphasized. One way to improve healthcare for PPGP would be to improve physiotherapists' competence regarding PPGP.