Title
Older Adults' Satisfaction with Physical Therapists' Communication and Physical Therapy Treatment
Date of Award
12-4-2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Gerontology Institute
First Advisor
Dr. Leslie Taylor - Chair
Abstract
Little research documents the impact of communication on the relationship between the physical therapist and the older patient. As key health professionals, physical therapists need to know the degree to which a therapeutic relationship is occurring with the older adults they treat, and what aspects of the communication process can be improved to effectively meet the needs of this unique patient population. This exploratory study examines the relationships between older adults’ perceptions of physical therapists’ patient-centered communication (PCC), and their satisfaction with communication and physical therapy treatment (SPT). The sample consisted of 40 participants from 4 different physical therapy sites, including a hospital-based outpatient department, an outpatient aquatics practice, a sports-based outpatient clinic, and a home health company. The findings indicate that physical therapists’ use of PCC behaviors, especially clarity, empathy, listening, humor, and immediacy was positively associated with older adults’ satisfaction with communication and with physical therapy care.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/1062186
Recommended Citation
Lakatoo, Neela M., "Older Adults' Satisfaction with Physical Therapists' Communication and Physical Therapy Treatment." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2006.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/1062186