"I want to be physically active as long as I live" Expectations and experiences of direct access to physiotherapist in primary healthcare of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Abstract

Purpose: To explore expectations and experiences of patients who have consulted a physiotherapist in primary healthcare for initial assessment and treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), as well as exploring if this initial contact had affected patients' perceived health status and views of future self-management.

Material and methods: Fifteen participants seeking care for suspected KOA at five rehabilitation centres in Swedish primary healthcare were interviewed. An inductive approach was used. Data material was analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: The overall theme was "I want to be physically active as long as I live." Three categories emerged and resulted in eight sub-categories. Participants wanted to get back to their usual physical activities, and to feel free to move the way they wanted. The core treatment, including patient education and individual exercise programs, delivered by a physiotherapist gave patients increased knowledge concerning how to treat KOA on their own.

Conclusion: Participants saw the physiotherapist as a natural first option. It was believed that exercise was the primary treatment alternative to relieve symptoms and that self-management was necessary. The participants were optimistic and had hopes of being able to return to their usual physical activities again.

Clinical trial: Prospectively registered 2022-10-03 in clinicaltrials.gov, reference number: NCT05566925.