title: Evaluation of patient satisfaction with physical therapy following primary THA.
abstract: Physical therapy following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is intended to maximize a patient's range of motion and function and improve the quality of life. No universally accepted standard of care exists for physical therapy among physicians or therapists. However, it may be crucial to enhance efforts to more fully elucidate contributing parameters that affect patient experiences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate various factors contributing to patient satisfaction with postoperative physical therapy. One hundred consecutive patients (110 hips) who underwent THA were prospectively surveyed for satisfaction with postoperative physical therapy. All surveys were filled out anonymously by the patients, and investigators were blinded to clinical outcomes and who was surveyed. Seventy-six percent of patients reported being satisfied with their rehabilitation experiences. Factors, including patient age and sex, duration of therapy, number of patients per session, continuity of care with the same therapist, amount of hands-on time spent with the therapist, number of patients per session, and total number of sessions completed, were significantly correlated with patient satisfaction. Co-pay amount did not significantly affect patient satisfaction. These factors may be underappreciated by physicians and physical therapists. To maximize patient satisfaction with physical therapy, physicians should identify institutions whose therapists are willing to spend adequate hands-on time during one-on-one or small-group sessions while maintaining the greatest possible continuity of care with a single provider.
authors.affiliation: Center for Joint Preservation and Reconstruction, Sinai Hospital, 2401 W Belvedere Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA.
authors.forename: Kimona
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Issa
authors.forename: Qais
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Naziri
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Talha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Memon
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dattilo
authors.forename: Steven F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Harwin
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mont
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult