Patients’ Satisfaction with In-patient Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Services at a Tertiary Facility in Ghana

Background:
Although assessing patient satisfaction ensures quality assurance, compliance, and better effects of therapy, patient satisfaction studies are lacking within the Ghanaian physiotherapy domain.

Objective:
To ascertain patients’ satisfaction with physiotherapy services and evaluate factors that influence satisfaction levels at the trauma and orthopedic directorate of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Method:
A cross-sectional survey was done, and systematic random sampling was used to recruit participants. One-hundred twenty (120) patients participated in the study. Data were collected using an adapted structured patient satisfaction questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were performed.

Results:
The mean age of participants was 39.9 ± 15.8 years. They comprised 48 (40%) females and 72 (60%) males. The most common cause of patient admission was road traffic accident (71.7%). All dimensions of satisfaction assessed were highly rated (>90%). Majority of the participants reported that they were satisfied (95.7%) and compliant (91.6%) with the physiotherapy treatment. Respect shown by therapist (98%) and courtesy and friendliness (97%) were the most rated indices; however, some respondents had uncertainties pertaining to patient involvement in decision-making. The majority of participants also reported that due to their satisfaction, compliance came naturally (75.9%) and reported compliance had a significant association with satisfaction (P = .02). Age was also found to influence satisfaction (P = .04).

Conclusion:
Patient satisfaction with physiotherapy services rendered at the inpatient facility was high, and satisfaction reportedly translated into ease with compliance.