Examining the impact of prescribing medication on the role identity of physiotherapists - a mixed methods study

Introduction - There is a paucity of literature regarding the impact and processes of role identity change when physiotherapists undertake further education to become non-medical prescribers.

Aims – 1 To develop a substantive theory of role identity change for physiotherapists becoming prescribers.2 To assess the credibility of the theory within a wider sample of physiotherapists3 To determine how prescribing medication changes the viewpoints of prescribing physiotherapists

Methods - The thesis presents an exploratory sequential QUAL/QUAN mixed methods study consisting of three phases. Phase 1 used constructivist grounded theory, interviewing a range of stakeholder groups, members of the public, and physiotherapists. Interviews were analysed using the constant comparison method. Phase 2 developed a bespoke questionnaire using source material from interview data collected in phase 1 organised according to emergent categories from theoretical coding applied to focused coding. Phase 3 circulated the finalised questionnaire with a larger sample group of physiotherapists, with results analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and inferential statistics to assess differences between defined groups of physiotherapists

Results - Phase 1 developed key categories informing role identity change in physiotherapists. Phase 2 developed a bespoke survey, Cronbach α = 0.833. Phase 3 revealed support for the substantive theory of role change via factor analysis. Kruskal–Wallis applied to groupings of physiotherapists revealed significant differences between prescribers and non – prescribers. . Key differences revealed differences between activity for prescribers versus non prescribers (ρ<0.001), and widespread support for the introduction of basic pharmacology in pre-registration programmes.

Discussion – Support for the theory of role identity change adds knowledge to the profession in awareness of challenges faced by prospective non-medical prescribers.