Factors associated with satisfaction with physical therapy services - a survey of patients with musculoskeletal pain at a federally qualified health center

Purpose The objective of this cross-sectional survey-based study was to assess factors associated with patient satisfaction with physical therapy (PT) services received at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in the United States (US) located near the US-Mexico border.Methods Patients > 18 years of age, English or Spanish speakers, referred to PT were invited to complete an online survey. Factors that may influence PT satisfaction were examined for patients who attended PT. Variables associated with PT satisfaction from bivariate analyses (p < .15) were included in three separate ordinal logistic regression models.Results Patients (N = 231) who reported more confidence that PT could help relieve their pain were more likely to have higher levels of satisfaction with PT communication, treatment, and outcomes than those who reported low confidence (p < .05). Patients who reported having more support from family and friends were more likely to have higher levels of satisfaction with PT communication and treatment than those with less support (p < .01). Patients with occasional or frequent pain after ending PT treatment were more likely to have lower satisfaction with PT outcomes than those reporting no pain (p < .05).Conclusions Findings suggest that addressing confidence in PT and promoting health support from family and friends may be important for satisfaction with PT. Additionally, PTs may consider addressing gaps between expected and achieved outcomes to improve PT satisfaction.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess factors related to patient satisfaction with physical therapy (PT) services at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) near the US-Mexico border. The results showed that patients who had more confidence in PT to relieve their pain had higher levels of satisfaction with PT communication, treatment, and outcomes. Patients who received more support from family and friends also had higher levels of satisfaction with PT communication and treatment. However, patients who experienced occasional or frequent pain after PT treatment had lower satisfaction with PT outcomes.