Page 15 - THE PERCEPT STUDY Illness Perceptions in Physiotherapy Edwin de Raaij
P. 15

Implementing the biopsychosocial model in physiotherapy treatments for MSP demands not only knowledge transfer, but also skills training to build physiotherapists’ confidence in delivering such interventions. Previous research has identified that acknowledgement of the impact of pain on a person's psychological health by a clinician is greatly valued by patients34. Although many physiotherapists may feel unprepared to address psychosocial problems, an effective plan of care must include addressing these factors66.
Implementation
A potentially beneficial model for implementing the BPS approach within physiotherapy is Leventhal’s CSM of self-regulation of health and Illness27,28. It has been proposed that this model be used in physiotherapy59, as illness perceptions (IPs) can strengthen certain behaviours, including with physical functioning, which is the core domain of physiotherapists. IPs are also reportedly associated with a variety of health-related outcomes in research into several musculoskeletal disorders14,23,58.
The Common-Sense Model of self-regulation of health and illness
The Model
This thesis explores the possibilities of using the CSM as a guiding principle for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. The CSM relates to the benefits physiotherapist may experience in: “identifying specific strategies for combining the best of traditional physiotherapy approaches with a greater focus on patients’ beliefs, fears and social context”51. The CSM originated with ‘Findings and Theory in the study of Fear Communications’ by
H. Leventhal (1970)29; the model has evolved over the last four decades and is nowadays defined as “a conceptual framework for examining the perceptual, behavioural and cognitive processes involved in individuals’ self-management of ongoing and future health threats”28, viewing the patient as an ‘active problem-solver’. The CSM is a parallel processing model (Fig. 2)26 that describes both cognitive and Emotional Response of perceived health threats, leading to patients’ IPs about these health threats.
General introduction
           Coping
Coping
Appraisal
Appraisal
                    Perceived health threat
                             Figure 2
Figure 2 = CSM model
13
1
 

















































































   13   14   15   16   17