Distinguishing patient satisfaction with treatment delivery from treatment effect: a preliminary investigation of patient satisfaction with symptoms after physical therapy treatment of low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the discrepancy between ratings of pain intensity and patient satisfaction by evaluating a questionnaire item that assesses patient satisfaction with treatment effect.


METHODS
Inception cohort.


METHODS
Ambulatory care.


METHODS
Sixty-six consecutive patients referred to outpatient physical therapy (PT) with acute low back pain (LBP).


METHODS
PT using treatment-based classification guidelines.


METHODS
Patient satisfaction 6 months after receiving PT for LBP.


RESULTS
Patient satisfaction with symptoms was considerably lower than the other patient satisfaction items. Patient satisfaction with symptoms was responsive to measures of treatment effect (Spearman rho range, .36-.44, P < .01) and with whether expectations were met (Spearman rho = .45, P < .01). Patients who were satisfied with symptoms reported higher physical function, lower pain intensity, and less symptom bothersomeness (P < .01) at 6 months. The 2 strongest absolute and unique predictors of patient satisfaction with symptoms at 6 months were whether treatment expectations were met and change in symptom bothersomeness.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggested that a questionnaire item assessing patient satisfaction with symptoms allows patients to distinguish between satisfaction with treatment effect and treatment delivery.
Department of Physical Therapy, Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0154, USA. sgeorge@phhp.ufl.edu
Steven Z
SZ
George
Adam T
AT
Hirsh
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome