Interprofessional collaboration Challenges in the provision of foot orthoses/medical aids between physiotherapists and medical doctors

The overall aim of this dissertation is to investigate interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between physiotherapists (PTs) and physicians in detail. This is done by using a mixed-methods design that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. Given the changing dynamics in the patient-doctor-therapist relationship due to advancing digitalization and easier access to knowledge, this research aims to sustainably improve the quality of IPC. The specific aim is to identify differences in decision-making between PTs and physicians, particularly in the context of the provision of therapeutic appliances such as foot orthoses. The current status of IPC and interprofessional decision-making (IPD) will be recorded through a quantitative survey of PTs. Building on the quantitative results, the experiences of interprofessionality among both physicians and PTs will be qualitatively researched and presented.