Satisfaction levels with physical therapy in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Background: Patient's satisfaction level is considered an indicator that interferes with interventions effectiveness. There is evidence from other health professionals that patients with higher satisfaction level recover faster. However, benefits toward physical therapy intervention is poorly known.

Objective: To measure the inpatient satisfaction level receiving physical therapy care and to evaluate which aspects of these treatments are flawed.

Methods: Patients admitted to hospital were evaluated using MedRisk Instrument for Measuring Patient Satisfaction with Physical Therapy Care (MRPS) that scores from 1 to 5 (higher values indicate higher satisfaction) for each item. Patients clinical and demographic characteristics and the Global Perceived Effect (GPE) were also collected. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted.

Results: 200 patients were evaluated (50.9±18.81 years, 58% male). Most of MRPS items were above 4. The highest scoring item (4.75) was physical therapist's respect to the patient. The lowest scoring item (1.82) was in relation to physical therapy guidelines at hospital discharge. Mean MRPS total score and GPE were 46.09±4.93 and 2.18±1.18, respectively.

Conclusion: The majority of patients are satisfied and showed improvement after physical therapy treatment. There is the need for advances and intervention in relation to physical therapy guidelines at hospital discharge. MRPS instrument proved to be appropriate to measure inpatient's satisfaction level with physical therapy care.

Keywords: Health services; Hospitalization; Inpatients; Patient satisfaction.