Building bespoke exercise: The clinical reasoning processes of physiotherapists when prescribing exercise for persons with musculoskeletal disorders

Josie Grimus, Chris Horler and Clair Hebron (2022)

Aims: This qualitative study aimed to explore physiotherapists’ clinical reasoning
when prescribing exercise for persons with musculoskeletal disorders.
Methods: A constructivist grounded theory inspired methodological approach was
used. Six physiotherapists working in the United Kingdom were recruited via pur-
posive sampling. Data collection and analysis included semi‐structured interviews,
memo writing, coding, and a constant comparative method.
Findings: A concept of ‘building bespoke exercise’ has been generated to concep-
tualise the participants’ clinical reasoning when prescribing exercise.
Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight processes of co‐designing and co‐
constructing exercise programmes in collaboration with persons receiving care.
Physiotherapists can use this study to reflect on their own clinical reasoning to
inform their own practice.