Hospital based study to assess knowledge, awareness and perception regarding physiotherapy among the patients in the physiotherapy OPD

Physiotherapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing movement potential, within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The practice of physiotherapy should not be defined by the use of modalities but rather the integration of examination, history and analysis of movement dysfunction. Physiotherapy is used in wide variety of disease conditions like musculoskeletal problems, neurological disorders, sport injuries, geriatric injuries, burn injuries and rehabilitation of patients in intensive care unit. But unlike various specializations dealing with health and disease like medicine, surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology etc, this important specialty has not gained much popularity. Not much research has been conducted in our country on this important topic.

This study has therefore been conducted to gain insights regarding patient's awareness and perceptions regarding physiotherapy and to build future roadmaps to increase the same.

To find out awareness and perception regarding physiotherapy.

To compare income level of patients of various categories with the duration of treatment.

To find out myths and misconception regarding physiotherapy.

To suggest measures for educating the patients regarding physiotherapy.

Cross-sectional hospital study of 200 patients attending the physiotherapy OPD done in a period 6 months (July 2007-dec 2007). All eligible subjects were interviewed personally by physiotherapist using a performed and pre-tested schedule. Questions regarding the respondent's biosocial characteristics, awareness and perception regarding physiotherapy were included in the schedule.

Quantitative analysis was done using chi-square test.

Results show that 54.43% urban and 34.71% rural subjects were aware of physiotherapy. These results were according to their level of education and occupation. Similarly only 90 patients out of 200 had the knowledge of physiotherapy treatment.