Qualitative Distinctions of Moral Practice

Principle Investigator: Bruce Greenfield

Dr. Greenfield uses qualitative approaches to explore patient and physical therapists interactions and behaviors in the clinic that help to explain elements and behaviors associated with moral practice and moral reasoning. He is particularly interested in exploring the experiences of the patients and the physical therapists (from novice to expert) to understand elements of moral practice from their perspectives. His latest research examined the clinical experiences of novice physical therapists across two practice setting to uncover the phenomenon of caring interactions with their patients. Future projects will examine the role of emotions in ethical decision-making based on the above model.