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Physiotherapy as a disciplinary institution in modern society - a Foucauldian perspective on physiotherapy in Danish private practice.

Praestegaard, Jeanette LU ; Gard, Gunvor LU and Glasdam, Stinne LU orcid (2015) In Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 31(1). p.17-28
Abstract
In many Western countries, physiotherapy in a private context is practiced and managed within a neoliberal ideology. Little is known about how private physiotherapeutic practice functions, which is why this study aims to explore how physiotherapy is practiced from the perspective of physiotherapists in Danish private practice, within a Foucauldian perspective. This study consisted of 21 interviews with physiotherapists employed in private practice and observation notes of the clinic. Interviews and observation notes were analyzed through the lens of Foucault’s concepts of discipline, self-discipline, power and resistance. Three categories were constructed: (1) the tacit transition from person to patient; (2) the art of producing... (More)
In many Western countries, physiotherapy in a private context is practiced and managed within a neoliberal ideology. Little is known about how private physiotherapeutic practice functions, which is why this study aims to explore how physiotherapy is practiced from the perspective of physiotherapists in Danish private practice, within a Foucauldian perspective. This study consisted of 21 interviews with physiotherapists employed in private practice and observation notes of the clinic. Interviews and observation notes were analyzed through the lens of Foucault’s concepts of discipline, self-discipline, power and resistance. Three categories were constructed: (1) the tacit transition from person to patient; (2) the art of producing docile

bodies; and (3) the inhibition of freedom of action by practicing in private homes. From a Foucauldian perspective, private physiotherapeutic practices have a disciplinary function in modern society as the physiotherapists produce docile bodies through disciplinary technologies, whereby their business becomes profitable. Most patients support the physiotherapists’ ‘‘regime of truth’’ but if they resist, they are either excluded or accepted

as ‘‘abnormal’’ but as a necessary source of income. The physiotherapists appear to be unconscious of the bio-powers working ‘‘behind their backs’’ as they are subject to the Western medical logic, and the neoliberal framework that rules their businesses. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Foucault, neoliberalism, physiotherapy, private practice, professionalism
in
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
volume
31
issue
1
pages
17 - 28
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:84914142247
  • pmid:25004357
  • wos:000346202800003
  • pmid:25004357
ISSN
0959-3985
DOI
10.3109/09593985.2014.933917
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
33ccfad3-e85e-4678-b8eb-71ff80aa20ed (old id 4538913)
alternative location
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25004357?dopt=Abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 10:01:23
date last changed
2024-06-16 06:39:19
@article{33ccfad3-e85e-4678-b8eb-71ff80aa20ed,
  abstract     = {{In many Western countries, physiotherapy in a private context is practiced and managed within a neoliberal ideology. Little is known about how private physiotherapeutic practice functions, which is why this study aims to explore how physiotherapy is practiced from the perspective of physiotherapists in Danish private practice, within a Foucauldian perspective. This study consisted of 21 interviews with physiotherapists employed in private practice and observation notes of the clinic. Interviews and observation notes were analyzed through the lens of Foucault’s concepts of discipline, self-discipline, power and resistance. Three categories were constructed: (1) the tacit transition from person to patient; (2) the art of producing docile<br/><br>
bodies; and (3) the inhibition of freedom of action by practicing in private homes. From a Foucauldian perspective, private physiotherapeutic practices have a disciplinary function in modern society as the physiotherapists produce docile bodies through disciplinary technologies, whereby their business becomes profitable. Most patients support the physiotherapists’ ‘‘regime of truth’’ but if they resist, they are either excluded or accepted<br/><br>
as ‘‘abnormal’’ but as a necessary source of income. The physiotherapists appear to be unconscious of the bio-powers working ‘‘behind their backs’’ as they are subject to the Western medical logic, and the neoliberal framework that rules their businesses.}},
  author       = {{Praestegaard, Jeanette and Gard, Gunvor and Glasdam, Stinne}},
  issn         = {{0959-3985}},
  keywords     = {{Foucault; neoliberalism; physiotherapy; private practice; professionalism}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{17--28}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Physiotherapy Theory and Practice}},
  title        = {{Physiotherapy as a disciplinary institution in modern society - a Foucauldian perspective on physiotherapy in Danish private practice.}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09593985.2014.933917}},
  doi          = {{10.3109/09593985.2014.933917}},
  volume       = {{31}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}