"Doing Our Best for Patient Safety": An International and Interprofessional Qualitative Study with Spinal Manipulative Therapy Providers in Community-Based Settings

Funabashi M1,2, Holmes MM3, Pohlman KA4, Salsbury S5, O'Beirne M6, Vohra S7, Mior S1,8 1CanadianMemorialChiropracticCollege, 2UniversitéduQuébecàTrois-Rivières, 3AECCUniversityCollege, 4ParkerUniversity,Dallas, 5PalmerCollegeofChiropractic, 6UniversityofCalgary, 7UniversityofAlberta, 8OntarioTechUniversity

Abstract

Background

Patient safety research is expanding from hospitals to community-based healthcare settings. Knowledge gaps persist among manual therapy professions that may impede patient safety initiatives within musculoskeletal care settings.

Objectives

To describe perceptions of patient safety among chiropractors and physiotherapists who provide spinal manipulation therapy (SMT).

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Method

Cross-sectional data were collected using the SafetyNET Survey to Support Quality Improvement. SMT providers (n = 705) in 3 countries completed surveys, with 84 providing written responses to an open-ended question about patient safety. Qualitative thematic analysis described providers’ perceptions about patient safety within their practice.

Results

SMT providers’ perceptions were influenced by professional, patient, and practice setting factors. Five themes and 10 supporting categories were developed. Doing Our Best for Patient Safety concerned Avoiding Mistakes and Prioritizing Safety. Putting Patients First focused on Developing Relationships and Individualizing Care. Working and Learning Together advocated for Interprofessional Communication and Collaborative Learning. Organizing Practice Processes emphasized Standardizing Procedures and Benchmarking Progress. Considering Practitioner Identity highlighted how Recognizing Difference among SMT providers and Challenging Fears of other healthcare professionals and patients about SMT were important for enhancing patient safety.

Conclusion

Findings align with World Health Organization guiding principles that the nature of healthcare settings influences patient safety strategies. Most responses focused on individual strategies to prevent adverse events. However, this approach may overlook the benefits of identifying and documenting adverse events, setting time to discuss adverse events with clinic members, standardizing clinical practices, and building transparent patient safety cultures across healthcare professions and settings.

OriginallypublishedinMusculoskeletalScienceand Practice,2021Dec;56:102470

ReproducedwithpermissionfromElsevier

Access online:doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2021.102470