Factors Associated with Patient Satisfaction in Older Adults Undergoing Outpatient Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a leading cause of long-term care needs in Japan; therefore, rehabilitation is essential. Although patient satisfaction is an important indicator of care quality, factors associated with satisfaction among older adults receiving outpatient musculoskeletal rehabilitation remain unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine patient satisfaction and its associated factors in this population.

This observational study included 100 outpatients with MSDs at a community hospital in western Japan (mean age, 77.2 ± 6.1 years). Satisfaction was assessed using the Customer Satisfaction Scale based on Need Satisfaction in health care services (CSSNS), which covers competence, autonomy, relatedness to other participants, relatedness to service providers, and physiological needs. Physical function, psychological factors, personality traits, and environmental factors were also evaluated.

The mean total CSSNS score was 54.3 ± 7.5 points. Autonomy exhibited the lowest score, whereas relatedness to service providers demonstrated the highest. Greater satisfaction was significantly associated with longer rehabilitation duration, faster gait speed, older age, higher conscientiousness, and lower pain catastrophizing. Openness and agreeableness were associated with satisfaction in relatedness to service providers.

Patient satisfaction was associated with physical factors, psychological factors, personality traits, and environmental factors, supporting individualized and psychologically supportive rehabilitation.