A Descriptive study of the referral system for orthopedic cases in De La Salle Health Sciences Institute affiliated rehabilitation centers in Cavite

Date of Completion

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

Orthopedic, Rehabilitation Centers, Referral and Consultation

Abstract

This study utilized a survey type of descriptive study. Six (6) orthopedic doctors, 16 physical therapists and two (2) physiatrists were surveyed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Instruments were patterned from the tool used by Cervantes, et al (2003) in the study “Rapid Assessment of Referral Care Systems”. Descriptive statistics such as frequency was used to interpret the answers of the respondents in the questionnaires as well as the patients’ profile, orthopedics doctors’ profile and physical therapists’ profile. The average referral rate of orthopedic cases received and treated at rehabilitation centers is 28.54% from January to November 2011. A total of 300 patients were seen by orthopedic doctors wherein only 150 patients were referred to PT for treatment per month. Results showed that the perceived main reason for non-compliance among orthopedic doctors is that rehabilitation facilities are far from home and that patients resort to consulting traditional healers. Overall, the referral system follows a pattern wherein referral starts from orthopedic doctors to physiatrists and physical therapists and then back to the orthopedic doctor for feedback and is possibly affected by referral policies and guidelines and communication preferences.

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