Unpublished MSc thesis, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, 2023/05, 60, type of study: ,css,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Free full text   (https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/798635)

Keywords:

cross sectional study [894]
Finland [1]
medical students [693]
osteopaths [269]
patients [167]
patient-centered care [13]
physician-patient relations [104]
preferences [3]
therapeutic process [61]

Abstract:

Background: Research about patient-centered care has been increasing in the last years, the concept has evolved and there is a need to establish a universally accepted concept. The World Health Organization recognized Osteopathy as a manual therapy and along with the European Committee for Standardization classified Osteopathy as providing patient-centered care. Although attitudes towards patient-centered care positively impact patient satisfaction, congruence between therapists and patients in attitudes can also have a positive outcome in patient satisfaction. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the preferences of osteopathy patients, students, and osteopaths on the patient-centered orientation of osteopathic care. Methods: A cross-sectional design was selected. Three groups were divided into osteopathy patients (Group A), osteopathy students (Group B), and osteopaths (Group C). Subjects were recruited through convenience sampling and required to fill in an online questionnaire, the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale - European Portuguese. The questionnaire construct validation and reliability were measured, group comparisons were analyzed with ANOVA with Post Hoc tests and nonparametric data were analyzed with a Kruskal Wallis test. Results: The study had 191 respondents A=133, B=6, and C=52. Correlations between items were found in the construct validity and the internal consistency, after the removal of items, the Cronbach alfa was 0.726 for the Total scale, 0.642 for the Sharing subscale, and 0.551 for the Caring Subscale. The data analysis revealed that all groups were therapist-centered, in the Total Scale mean scores Group A scored 4.12 (SD 0.69), Group B scored 4.37 (0.37), and Group C scored 4.37 (SD 0.66). Overall, the statistical analysis showed congruence between groups in patient-centered orientation, namely, therapist-centered orientation. However, in the Caring subscale, Group A scored a mean of 4,51 (SD 0.70) and Group C scored 4.89 (SD 0.70), the statistical analysis revealed a statistical difference in between groups. In the caring subscale osteopaths are medium-centered, and patient, therapist-centered. Conclusions: The Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale - European Portuguese revealed good reliability and construct validity to measure patient-centeredness orientation in the osteopathy context. The main findings between the groups were that all groups scored low on patient-centeredness, and overall, there was congruence between groups.