Giving hope, ticking boxes or securing services? A qualitative study of respiratory physiotherapists’ views on goal-setting with people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective:To explore respiratory physiotherapists’ views and experiences of using goal-settingwith people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rehabilitation settings.Participants:A total of 17 respiratory physiotherapists with ⩾12 months current or previous experience of working with patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a non-acute setting. Participants were diverse in relation to age (25–49 years), sex (13 women), experience (Agenda for Change bands 6–8) and geographic location.Method:Data were collected via face-to-face qualitative in-depth interviews(40–70 minutes) using a semi-structured interviewguide. Interviewlocations were selected by participants (included participants’ homes, public places and University). Interviewsfollowed an interviewguide, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.Data Analysis:Data were analysed using thematic analysis; constant comparison was made within and between accounts, and negative case analysiswas used.Results:Three themes emer...