Assessment of patient satisfaction with physical therapy at a college health clinic in Santo André, SP

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure patient satisfaction at a publicly offered physical therapy service in a university clinic. Fifty-one patients were evaluated (mean age 47,6±14,8 years), who were being attended to at the health clinic. Satisfaction level was assessed by means of a Brazilian-developed and validated patient satisfaction physical therapy questionnaire. Most subjects (77%) presented low social-economic status. Results showed a high level of satisfaction as to therapist-patient relationship, staff, clinic dynamics, and facilities. Some negative answers were observed as to the clinic's convenience (location and parking place). Answers to the question concerning overall satisfaction with the assistance ranged from 55% "excellent", 27% "very good", to 18% "good". The clinic patients are aware that they will be attended to by students. Though results may have been biased by patients' low social-economic profile, who do not usually have high expectations, still they point to a homogenous, positive evaluation of the seriousness and competency of the clinic team work.