Abstract:
Background: Social media has rapidly become a primary source of health information for the public.
Although patients frequently consume physiotherapy-related content online, little is known about
how this shapes their expectations before entering clinical care.
Objective: To explore how social media influences patients’ expectations of physiotherapy
assessment, treatment approaches, recovery timelines, and outcomes. Design: Qualitative study using
semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis. Setting & Participants: Purposive sample
of 20 adults (18–70 years) attending two outpatient physiotherapy clinics who reported using social
media for health information. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (30–55 minutes) were audio-
recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Credibility was
enhanced through researcher triangulation and participant member-checking. Results: Four themes
captured the influence of social media on expectations: (1) Anticipation of quick fixes and visible
improvements; (2) Requests for techniques popularised online; (3) Tension between empowerment
and mistrust; (4) Expectations for digital and remote modes of care. Social media exposure both
facilitated engagement and created unrealistic expectations. Conclusion: Social media exerts a strong
influence on patient expectations in physiotherapy. Clinicians should address online information
early in care, navigate misconceptions, and support digital health literacy.
