Effect of Communication Skills of Physical therapist on Patient Satisfaction Level

Abstract

Background: In the health care profession, communication skills serve as the backbone of patient care.

Objectives: This analytical study is to investigate the effects of physiotherapists’ communication skills on the patient satisfaction level

Methods: Data was collected from private and government setups in different cities between November 2020 to January 2021 after informed consent from patients (N=243) receiving physiotherapeutic management by using a patient satisfaction questionnaire and Kalamazoo essential element checklist. Patients aged between 25-35 years receive physical therapy for more than a week in private and government physical therapy centers. Patients with hearing, neurological and cognitive impairments were excluded. The study reveals the highest average scores for communication and time spent with a physical therapist on a patient satisfaction questionnaire while on Kalamazoo essential element checklist, the highest scores go to open discussion between patient and physical therapist.

Results: A total of 243 patients were recruited out of which 123 lie in the age group 25-30 while 120 lie in the age group 30-35. 54.7% were male and 45.3% were female. The results showed that the correlation between communication skills and level of patient satisfaction is weak, but it was significant statistically (r=0.258, p-value<0.05).

Conclusion: The communication skills of physiotherapists have a positive impact on satisfaction levels of a patient. This may also be affected by time spent and how the physiotherapist builds relationships with his patient.

Keywords: Communication skills, health care profession, Physiotherapist-patient relationship