BACKGROUND: Psychological distress is a common response to many conditions physiotherapists treat. It is also common for a person's experience of distress to be associated with multiple stressors.
OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study explored physiotherapists' perceptions of the types of patient psychological distress they encountered in their clinical practice.
METHODS: A qualitative research approach was adopted. Twenty-three physiotherapists were recruited through purposive maximum variation sampling. To participate, physiotherapists had to self-report having encountered at least one patient they perceived to be experiencing psychological distress in the last 12 months. Data analysis was completed using Iterative Thematic Inquiry.
RESULTS: Five themes were identified in the study: 1) distress extends beyond physical health issues; 2) fear of the future; 3) the emotional toll of loss; 4) trauma is often part of the story; and 5) losing hope.