Patient satisfaction and organizational factors in private physical therapy: a descriptive study in Galicia

Abstract

Objective: To describe the overall level of patient satisfaction among individuals treated in private physical therapy clinics in Galicia and to analyze its distribution according to sociodemographic characteristics, type of access, and various indicators of the care process. Materials and methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted based on a self-administered survey distributed among patients attending private physical therapy clinics in Galicia between March and August 2023. Sociodemographic data, type of access to physical therapy (private or health insurance), and overall satisfaction—assessed using a 4-point Likert scale—were collected. In the same way, seven specific satisfaction indicators derived from the PEPAP-Q scale were analyzed. Variables were dichotomized to facilitate descriptive analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using R and RStudio, employing frequencies and percentages. Results: The sample consisted of 312 patients. 59.7% reported overall satisfaction. Satisfaction was similar across sex, age, and place of residence. However, patients receiving care through private health insurance showed a higher proportion of lower satisfaction compared to those with private access. Among the indicators analyzed, sufficient time spent during the session was the factor most strongly associated with lower satisfaction, whereas interruptions during care had a relatively smaller impact. Conclusions: Private physical therapy care in Galicia demonstrates a high overall level of patient satisfaction. Organizational factors—particularly the time allocated per session—appear to play a significant role in the patient experience, especially in the context of access through health insurance.