Are emotions important for good interaction in treatment situations?

Emotional aspects in interaction have been an area of growing interest in recent decades. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of emotions in interactions between individuals receiving physiotherapy and their therapists providing PT services to them in psychiatric care. The study was a qualitative case study with cross-case analysis according to Shephard et al (Shephard, Jensen, Sc moll, Hack, and Gwyer, 1993) and Merriam (1988). Eleven informants participated, all of them "experts in interaction" with patients. All informants perceived that emotional aspects were important for good interaction between physical therapist and patient. It was considered important to identify and express emotions as a PT but also to identify emotions in patients and help patients to express emotions. The following themes were identified: emotions as a basis for interaction; identifying and using one's own emotions as a PT; separating one's own emotions from the patient's emotions; motivating forces and emotion, body language and emotion and emotional awareness in patients. The results are also discussed in the light of existing theories about the importance of emotions.