Final published version
Licence: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The lived experiences of UK physiotherapists involved in Cauda Equina Syndrome litigation
T2 - A qualitative study
AU - Yeowell, Gillian
AU - Leech, Rachel
AU - Greenhalgh, Susan
AU - Willis, Emma
AU - Selfe, James
PY - 2023/9/14
Y1 - 2023/9/14
N2 - BackgroundCauda Equina Syndrome is a serious spinal pathology, which can have life changing physical and psychological consequences and is highly litigious. Litigation can have negative personal and professional effects on the healthcare professionals cited in a clinical negligence claim. There is an absence of research looking at the experience of the physiotherapist and as such, it is unknown the impact litigation is having on them. This study explored the lived experiences of UK physiotherapists in relation to Cauda Equina Syndrome litigation.MethodsA qualitative design, informed by Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenology, using semi-structured interviews was used to explore participants’ lived experiences of litigation. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis framework. Nvivo software was used to facilitate analysis. The study is reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative (COREQ) research.Results40 interviews took place online or over the phone, with physiotherapists and stakeholders. Four themes were found; ‘litigation effects’, ‘it feels personal’, ‘learning from litigation’ and ‘support and training’.ConclusionThis is the first study to investigate the lived experiences of litigation in UK physiotherapists. Involvement in clinical negligence affected physiotherapists’ physical and mental wellbeing and impacted their clinical practice. Most physiotherapists felt litigation was a personal attack on them and their ability to do their job. Physiotherapists highlighted perceptions of a ‘blame culture’ and perceived stigma associated with the claim, which often led to a lack of sharing and learning from litigation. Physiotherapists emphasised the need for emotional support for those going through a legal claim and that training was needed to understand the process of litigation and range of potential outcomes.
AB - BackgroundCauda Equina Syndrome is a serious spinal pathology, which can have life changing physical and psychological consequences and is highly litigious. Litigation can have negative personal and professional effects on the healthcare professionals cited in a clinical negligence claim. There is an absence of research looking at the experience of the physiotherapist and as such, it is unknown the impact litigation is having on them. This study explored the lived experiences of UK physiotherapists in relation to Cauda Equina Syndrome litigation.MethodsA qualitative design, informed by Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenology, using semi-structured interviews was used to explore participants’ lived experiences of litigation. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis framework. Nvivo software was used to facilitate analysis. The study is reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative (COREQ) research.Results40 interviews took place online or over the phone, with physiotherapists and stakeholders. Four themes were found; ‘litigation effects’, ‘it feels personal’, ‘learning from litigation’ and ‘support and training’.ConclusionThis is the first study to investigate the lived experiences of litigation in UK physiotherapists. Involvement in clinical negligence affected physiotherapists’ physical and mental wellbeing and impacted their clinical practice. Most physiotherapists felt litigation was a personal attack on them and their ability to do their job. Physiotherapists highlighted perceptions of a ‘blame culture’ and perceived stigma associated with the claim, which often led to a lack of sharing and learning from litigation. Physiotherapists emphasised the need for emotional support for those going through a legal claim and that training was needed to understand the process of litigation and range of potential outcomes.
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0290882
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0290882
M3 - Journal article
VL - 18
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 9
M1 - e0290882
ER -