Perception of patients on the therapeutic communication skills of physical therapists in the affiliated centers of De La Salle Health Sciences Institute-College of Rehabilitation Sciences in Cavite

A descriptive-correlational type of research design using survey was conducted in Unihealth-Tagaytay, St. Paul Hospital, St. Dominic Medical Center, and General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital. A total of 55 respondents all of whom were patients with musculoskeletal conditions with no neurological involvement and with ages 20-80 years old participated in the study. Respondents were chosen using non-probability convenience sampling. Fifty five (55) physical therapists were assessed which includes 15 PT staffs and 40 interns. Researchers utilized a self-administered questionnaire that underwent validation and pilot testing. The questionnaire was a five-point Likert scale that is used to determine the quality of the identified therapeutic communication skills of the physical therapists. Data was analyzed using frequency, percentage distribution, mean, and t-test. The results yielded an overall mean score of 4.738 with very good interpretation. All domains of therapeutic communication such as personal space (4.633), touch (4.851), facial expressions (4.827), position (4.69), posture (4.655), gesture (4.756), listening (4.764), empathy (4.739), humor (4.717), completeness (4.695), clearness (4.792), conciseness (4.683), cohesiveness (4.704) and courteousness (4.824) were interpreted as very good. Overall, the physical therapists of the affiliated centers of De La Salle Health Sciences Institute-College of Physical Therapy have very good therapeutic communication skills