DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i05.024

Pages: 1290-1294

Discontinuation of follow up is common in patients of physiotherapy. Factors for discontinuation may be specific for specific rehabilitation like Orthopedic, Neurology, sports, community and cardio-respiratory physiotherapy. Many studies focused on common factors for discontinuation. This study aim at assessing factors affecting specific rehabilitation follow up of patients coming to OPD of physiotherapy department using online social network. This is a cross sectional survey through online social network (OSN) carried out on 500 patients who discontinued coming to physiotherapy OPD for 6 month duration. Pre validated questionnaire was used to collect data of patients who discontinued physiotherapy. Data was collected and patients were categorized in Ortho, neuro, community, cardio-respiratory, sports rehabilitation follow up. Post study percentages of factors affecting specific rehabilitation follow up were calculated by statistical analysis. By the end of the study,unavailability of modality (56%), Long waiting time (31%),timings not suitable to patient’s schedule(13%)were factors for ortho, Long waiting time(60%), Patient not finding the need for physiotherapy(22%), unavailability of caregivers(18%) to take to hospital for Neuroreahabilitation, High cost of treatment (88%) for sports rehabilitation, Doctor hasn’t advised (56%) and timings not suitable to schedule (44%) for community rehabilitation. Therapist not advised (44%) and high cost (56%)were some of the factors affecting follow up in cardio-respiratory rehabilitation.Physiotherapy department should approach every patient not coming for follow up through online social networking site on regular basis post OPD visit. Therapist should take necessary steps to reduce patients waiting time, give appointment considering patients availability, give manual therapy over modality, refer patients to psychologist and also conduct awareness camps for field specific rehabilitation in patients, caregivers and other......