Assessment of women’s satisfaction with physical therapy care in the immediate postpartum period: an observational study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate women’s
satisfaction with physical therapy care during the immediate
postpartum period. This is a cross-sectional study. The
physical therapy approach was based on kinesiotherapy,
massage therapy, electrophysical resources, and concluded
with health education. Approximately seven to 15 days
after hospital discharge, participants were contacted by
phone and asked ten questions regarding the care provided
by the physical therapist in the maternity ward during
the immediate postpartum period. The study included
49 puerperal women with a mean age of 27 years (±3.7),
mostly White, in stable unions, with complete secondary
education, and multiparous; the predominant mode of
delivery was vaginal childbirth (61.22%). All participants
reported satisfaction with the care received, clarity of
the instructions regarding the proposed exercises, and
clarification of doubts. Three (6%) women felt the care took too long or caused discomfort, 70% (35) followed the instructions
received at the maternity hospital at home, and 12% (seven)
had difficulty following the instructions. All women stated they
would like to have access to physical therapy care again if they
had another baby; the average satisfaction with the physical
therapy care received at the maternity hospital was 9.64. It was
found that the women were satisfied with the physical therapy
care at the maternity hospital, and most applied the instructions
received at home.