Abstract
Background Since 2009, undergraduate and graduate courses in physiotherapy at German universities
have been involved in the international discourse on the formation of physiotherapy
as a discipline in order to establish it as a subject in theory and practice. It has
already been stated that it is necessary to deal with theory and model development
(the essential core elements of a discipline). Currently, reference science dominates
the scientific basis of physiotherapy, as only a marginal amount of (physio)therapeutic
theories and models exist to date.
Aim The aim of this research is to capture the subjective views and interpretation patterns
of experts regarding the importance of theory and model development for the discipline
formation of physiotherapy in Germany at the current time, and to classify the results
within the streams of discipline development and formation.
Method A qualitative research approach was chosen, oriented by Grounded Theory Methodology,
and four guideline-based, theory-generating expert interviews were conducted. After
verbatim transcription, the resulting data material was analysed following the Grounded
Theory methodological approach.
Results “State of uncertainty” was identified as the core category – which emerged from the
interview partners current subjective views and patterns of interpretation regarding
the meaning of theory and model development. “State of uncertainty” can be understood
as a process in the formation of a scientific discipline which is currently undecided
and incomplete. This “state of uncertainty” is the outcome of the aggregation of the
formulated categories of uncertainty, demarcation, avoidance and transformation. Gradual
differences within how the interview partners interpret the “state of uncertainty”
can be worked out from the results. In the progression curves following Schütze, it
can be shown that the self-positioning of the interview partners regarding their own
involvement with theory and model development refers to the ongoing process of the
transformation of physiotherapy from a profession to a discipline. The interview partners
associated ambivalences of interpretive patterns become clearly recognizable.
Conclusion An internal discussion concerning the irresolutions of the “state of uncertainty”
is necessary in order to support the relevance of theory and model development for
physiotherapy as a scientific discipline.
Keywords
physiotherapy - grounded theory - Germany - qualitative research - interviews as topic
- allied health occupations
Schlüsselwörter
Physiotherapie - Grounded Theory - Deutschland - qualitative Forschung - leitfadengestützte
Interviews - Gesundheitsfachberufe
