Recognizable Investigation on Home Visiting Physical Therapy of Physical Therapist in Gwangju and Jeonnam = Recognizable Investigation on Home Visiting Physical Therapy of Physical Therapist in Gwangju and Jeonnam

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

PURPOSE: This study seeks to examine the awareness and need of home visiting physical therapy among physical therapist in Gwangju and Jeonnam province. METHODS: Survey was conducted during the continuing education on physical therapist held in Gwangju in 2015 with 297 participants. The survey questionnaire consisted of 12 questions on the characteristics of physical therapists, 8 questions regarding the awareness of home visiting physical therapy, and 7 questions on need. RESULTS: Significant differences were found regarding service period, according to categories of the inconvenience associated with commuting to/from hospitals, long-term treatment for patients, high quality treatment with intensive care, treatment at a time of patients’ choosing. The category of hospital fees reduced due to early discharge from the hospital also saw significant differences, depending on respondents’ marital status, dependent family, and service period. Providing treatment without causing discomfort to patients in front of others also saw significant differences according to physical therapist career period. Home visiting physical therapy is easier for family members to take care of patients also saw significant differences according to education and physical therapist career period. CONCLUSION: Survey indicates that physical therapist province feel the need for home visiting physical therapy in many respects. However, since as many as half of the surveyed physical therapists have only heard of home visiting physical therapy or are have no awareness of the this form of treatment, it appears that there is a need to raise awareness of home visiting physical therapy among physical therapist and introduce appropriate policies.