Patient-perceived Barriers to Rehabilitation at Physical Therapy Clinics: A Qualitative Insight

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate patients perceived barriers to rehabilitation. Methods: A
qualitative study was designed using grounded theory and inductive approach that included a semi-structured
interview checklist concerning patients’ perceived barriers to physical therapy service. The transcript was
analyzed using ATLAS.ti software and a thematic analysis was conducted. Codes were generated and analyzed by
semantic linkages and network analysis. Results: A total of five themes were identified from qualitative analysis,
namely, “treatment results pain,†“out-of-pocket expenditure,†“low perceived value for money,†“unavailability
of caregiver,†and “unavailability of the therapist.†Conclusion: Apart from the barriers identified, a novel finding
was the perception of intergender treatment as a barrier by female patients. This phenomenon not only has social
implications that may contribute adversely to clinical goals for that patient.