Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

The role of Philosophical Hermeneutics in contributing to an understanding of physiotherapy practice: a reflexive illustration

Stenner, Rob; Mitchell, Theresa; Palmer, Shea

The role of Philosophical Hermeneutics in contributing to an understanding of physiotherapy practice: a reflexive illustration Thumbnail


Authors

Rob Stenner

Theresa Mitchell

Profile Image

Shea Palmer Shea.Palmer@uwe.ac.uk
Occasional Associate Lecturer - CHSS - HSW



Abstract

© 2016 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy This paper provides an overview of Philosophical Hermeneutics based on the work of German philosopher Hans Georg Gadamer. The concepts of the ‘hermeneutic circle’ as a vehicle for interpretation, management of the researcher's pre-understandings (prejudices), and the ‘fusion of horizons’ are introduced and illustrated by examples from the first author's research, before considering how rigour can be achieved in this type of research. The actual research study which aimed to explore how shared decision making and patient partnership are addressed by physiotherapists in the process of exercise prescription for patients with low back pain (LBP) is not the focus of this paper. However short descriptions of the study are used to explore issues surrounding a hermeneutic inquiry. For physiotherapists interested in research or considering undertaking an interpretive phenomenological inquiry, this theoretical discussion paper explores how Gadamer's philosophy offers a credible framework for undertaking such research.

Citation

Stenner, R., Mitchell, T., & Palmer, S. (2017). The role of Philosophical Hermeneutics in contributing to an understanding of physiotherapy practice: a reflexive illustration. Physiotherapy, 103(3), 330-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2016.05.003

Journal Article Type Note
Acceptance Date May 19, 2016
Online Publication Date Jun 1, 2016
Publication Date Sep 1, 2017
Deposit Date Jun 15, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Physiotherapy (United Kingdom)
Electronic ISSN 1873-1465
Publisher De Gruyter Open
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 103
Issue 3
Pages 330-334
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2016.05.003
Keywords philosophical hermeneutics, interpretive phenomenology, physiotherapy, research
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/923679
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2016.05.003