The perceptions of people with multiple sclerosis about the NHS provision of physiotherapy services.

Abstract

In 2008, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and MS Trust conducted a second audit of NHS services for people with MS (PwMS). Using the free text comments obtained from the RCP and MS Trust audit, this study aimed to perform content analysis on the views of PwMS about MS services, focussing on physiotherapy provision. A total of 757 PwMS included a free text comment on MS services and an additional 41 commented separately about physiotherapy services. The data were analysed using content analysis, which identified three main themes, positive, negative and neutral and subsequent categories and sub-categories. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were assessed and the data were manipulated to address the research aim. This study found that the majority of the free text comments on MS services were negative (55%). Physiotherapy provision was rated the most negative of NHS services (38%), with the primary complaints being lack of information about services and excessive waiting times for appointments. This study has revealed that NHS physiotherapy provision is not meeting the needs of PwMS.