Patient satisfaction with telehealth and digital physical therapy practice during COVID-19

Abstract

The objective of the current study is to investigate the problems of the patient and the level of satisfaction of physiotherapists. Patients using telehealth and digital physical therapy procedures to minimize physical contact between physiotherapists and the patient during COVID-19. The study was conducted on 151 patients of different age groups. The data was gathered from the Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PSRD) hospital in Lahore. A patient satisfaction survey was used for patients in which the different satisfaction levels were defined for different age groups of males and females. The satisfaction level of the patient was observed with telehealth and digital physical therapy. Out of 151 patients, 67 were males and 84 were females. The range of age of these individuals was 20-30, 30-50 and 50-70 years. It was observed that females were more involved as compared to males. It is concluded that the maximum number of females were satisfied. Overall patients with age group 30-50 years were more satisfied as compared to other age groups. This study concludes that the satisfaction of patients with the use of telehealth technology varies. Since the young population use technology more whereas elderly patients have various concerns regarding treatment over the telehealth platform they do not want to continue using telehealth therapy after the pandemic but patients are satisfied in the current situation of lockdown and fear of getting infected with COVID-19.