Development and Validation of an Instrument for Measuring Patient Satisfaction with Physical Therapy

Objective: To develop and validate an instrument for measuring patient satisfaction with physical therapy, and to identify the most important satisfaction indicators. Method: The sample was composed of 834 outpatients of both sexes with mean age of 46.7 years who were health plan users at 45 private health clinics in Natal and Mossoró, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and who answered a questionnaire. The study covered the process of developing the instrument as well as the analysis of its psychometric properties. Qualitative analysis on the initial sample of items in the questionnaire was performed by a panel of specialists. A pilot study preceded refinement of the questionnaire and was carried out prior to data collection. Psychometric analysis (evaluation of the test that was developed) was performed by means of studying the reliability and validity of the measures obtained with the instrument. Results: The results achieved in relation to reliability, by means of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α= 0.94), and content, simultaneous, and construct validities showed high internal consistency and satisfactory validity according to psychometric standards for patient satisfaction with physical therapy. Factorial analysis indicated the existence of four dimensions in which patient-therapist interaction, especially regarding the physical therapist’s communication skills, seem to be the best indicators of satisfaction. Aspects related to personal convenience, such as location of the clinic and availability of parking, were not strongly predictive of satisfaction with the care received. Conclusions: This study makes available a new tool to contribute to management and to the planning process necessary for improving the quality of physical therapy services.