¿Quieren los pacientes ir de manera directa al fisioterapeuta? Un estudio para el caso gallego

Abstract

Introduction

The possibility of direct access to physiotherapy has long been advocated by the profession. Understanding the profiles of patients who are more in favor of such access and those who have a greater preference for medical professional guidance or referral will aid in the implementation of new healthcare systems.

Materials and methods

A survey was carried out on the population that attends physiotherapy privately or for health insurance. Of the latter (89 patients), whose referral depends on a medical professional, they were consulted about the preference of medical regimen or not and about the possibility of direct access to physiotherapy.

Results

It is observed that two variables have a more direct impact on the preference regarding the guidance of rehabilitative treatment. Both age (older age) and gender (male) are statistically related to a greater preference for guidance by a medical professional in the rehabilitative protocol, while the female gender and younger population are more inclined to accept guidance by the physiotherapy professional themselves.

Conclusions

There is a significant acceptance for direct access to physiotherapy. Statistically, there is greater acceptance for the physiotherapy professional to guide the treatment among the younger, female population.