'Coping in practice': a qualitative exploration of psychological resilience among paediatric physiotherapists

PurposeThe importance of improving psychological resilience among healthcare workers to protect individuals, support the delivery of quality patient care, and safeguard health system functioning is well documented. While research has explored many aspects of psychological wellbeing across various healthcare worker populations, it is unclear how physiotherapists view and experience psychological resilience and stress in the workplace. This study aimed to explore how paediatric physiotherapists described resilience, how stress in the workplace affected their ability to provide services, and the methods used to cope with pressures and stress.MethodsA cross-sectional, qualitative approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 paediatric physiotherapists working in the Republic of Ireland. The transcripts were analysed using a deductive content analysis approach.ResultsFive themes arose from the interviews. These were 'The Nature of Resilience'(summarised many physiotherapist's perceptions that resilience was 'coping' with difficulties in the workplace), 'Challenges of the Profession' (described parts of their roles as physiotherapists that contributed to stress)', Job-Related Gratification'(described the aspects of the role that strengthens resilience), 'Resilience Strategies (Protective Practices)'(described the actions and activities used by physiotherapists to cope with stressors in the workplace), and 'Resilience Strategies (Attitudes)'(summarised the attitudes used to safeguard against workplace stress).ConclusionsThis study evaluated paediatric physiotherapists' experiences of resilience from a personal and organisational perspective. This study suggests this population shares its understanding of resilience with other healthcare professions. The findings of this research highlights the necessity for additional investigation into methods used by paediatric physiotherapists to cope with workplace stressors.