Exploration of patients' perspectives of quality within an extended scope physiotherapists' spinal screening service

Patient views about Extended Scope Physiotherapy services have rarely been sought. This study aimed to establish the dimensions of quality that were important to patients referred to such a service. This was a qualitative study using face-to-face semistructured interviews and was conducted at one tertiary teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Thirty-four consecutive patients referred to a spinal extended physiotherapy practitioner service were invited to participate. Thirteen provided informed consent, and 12 were interviewed. Semistructured interviews were recorded and transcribed, and a framework qualitative data analysis was performed. Data analysis revealed five key themes that were important to the participants in the quality of the service: provision of information, professional skills, interpersonal skills, outcome, and patient care pathway. This study has produced key themes within the structure, process, and outcome of a spinal extended physiotherapy practitioner service that are determinants of quality by patients about to use this service. This preliminary work will be used to develop a questionnaire for patients using this service.