title: Relevant patient perceptions and experiences for evaluating quality of interaction with physiotherapists during outpatient rehabilitation: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify elements of the physiotherapist-patient interaction considered by patients when they evaluate the quality of care in outpatient rehabilitation settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study with nine focus groups, Two researchers conducted the focus groups, and a topic guide with predetermined questions was used. Each group discussion was audiotaped,, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically according to a modified grounded theory approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three postacute ambulatory centers in Barcelona, Madrid and Seville (Spain).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven adults undergoing outpatient rehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions/injuries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients based their evaluations of quality of care on their assessment of physiotherapists' willingness to provide information and education, technical expertise and interpersonal manners (eg. respect, emotional support and sensitivity changes in the patient's status). Both positive and negative aspects of the physiotherapist-patient interaction emerged under all these themes, except for friendly and respectful communication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identified which elements of the physiotherapist-patient interaction are considered by patients when evaluating the quality of care in rehabilitation outpatient settings. Further research should work to develop self-report questionnaires about patients' experiences of the physiotherapist-patient interaction in rehabilitation services to provide empirical and quantitative evidence.
authors.affiliation: Central Unit of Anatomy, Catholic University San Antonio, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: M Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Del Baño-Aledo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: mirapeix@um.es.
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Medina-Mirapeix
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Escolar-Reina
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Regional Campus of International Excellence 'Campus Mare Nostrum', University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montilla-Herrador
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000592:standards*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Outpatients; Physiotherapy; Qualitative research; Quality of health care; Rehabilitation