Community physiotherapy for children with cystic fibrosis: a family satisfaction survey

Input of a specialist physiotherapist is integral to the management of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). In recent years, many regional centres have developed specialist physiotherapy posts based in the community. The aim of this study was to ascertain the effectiveness of the community physiotherapy service in Newcastle upon Tyne, from the families' point of view.

The current service was reviewed and a questionnaire was developed and sent to all families with a child/children attending the regional paediatric centre for full care. It was adapted from a standardised patient satisfaction survey and included both open and closed questions.

One hundred and six questionnaires were sent with a response rate of 50%. Eighty-nine percent of respondents had been reviewed by the community physiotherapist. Ninety-one percent were satisfied with the overall service provided. They felt involved in the treatment plan (94%) and understood the reasons for follow up visits (92%). Eighty-five percent of respondents had a contact number for the community physiotherapist. Comments from parents were generally positive. Many families requested increased input in the home as they found it more beneficial than review in the clinic setting.

There was a high rate of satisfaction with specialist physiotherapy support in the community for children with CF among families who responded to the patient satisfaction survey.