Original Article J. Phys. Ther. Sci.

21: 307–310, 2009

Survey about Physical Therapy among Nurses
at a Hospital

KAORU YAMANO PhD, RPT1), HIDETOSHI MATSUNAGA MS, RPT1),

SUMIKAZU AKIYAMA PhD, RPT2)
1)
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Himeji Dokkyo University:
7–2–1 Kami-ohno, Himeji City, Hyogo 670-8524, Japan. TEL: +81 79-223-6698
2)
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, International University of
Health and Welfare

Abstract. [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate job satisfaction and the role of the
department of rehabilitation at a hospital as perceived by nurses who were actually working in the
department. [Methods] Questionnaires were distributed to 92 nurses in the departments of orthopedics,
cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, and internal. The questionnaires included questions on the
responsibilities of the rehabilitation department, and the necessity of the rehabilitation department. The
results were compared with the questionnaires completed in 2000. [Results] Sixty-six questionnaires were
returned. In terms of job satisfaction, 42 were satisfied, and 15 were dissatisfied. In 2000, only 15 were
satisfied. In terms of the necessity of the rehabilitation department, 64 felt it is necessary, and none felt it
unnecessary. [Conclusion] The reason for the increase in the degree of job satisfaction is probably due to
factors such as the initiation of heart rehabilitation, the increase of bedside physiotherapy, the increase in
the number of staff members, and providing information on a Local Area Network at the hospital. Many
nurses think that the rehabilitation department is necessary. They apparently recognize the importance of
rehabilitation carried out by professionals to support patients’ recovery.
Key words: Physical therapy, Nurse, Consciousness investigation

(This article was submitted Apr. 20, 2009, and was accepted Jun. 23, 2009)

INTRODUCTION for improving team medical care.

This study investigated the attitudes of nurses to METHODS

the rehabilitation ward of a hospital. The
investigation evaluated their job satisfaction and
their opinions concerning the role of the
rehabilitation ward. There are many reports 1–3)
noting the importance of a rehabilitation program
that includes a physical therapist and a nurse.
However, other studies reveal that the attitude of the
nurses is extremely important4–6).
This study is a survey of the nurses’ awareness.
The purpose was to survey their feelings of job
satisfaction and the necessity of the physical
therapy service. This survey provides information
This survey was conducted at a hospital in Oita
prefecture. This hospital had 25 diagnosis and
treatment departments and 610 beds. The subjects
of the investigation were 92 nurses working in
orthopedics, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery,
nerve internal medicine. These departments
submitted many requests for physical therapy in a
prior survey7).
The survey was conducted by a questionnaire.
The questionnaire addressed (1) medical care
elements of the rehabilitation department, and (2)
308 J. Phys. Ther. Sci. Vol. 21, No. 4, 2009

the necessity of rehabilitation. The survey was Table 1. Are you satisfied with medical care contents of
similar to one conducted in 20008). rehabilitation department?
2007 2000
RESULTS
Satisfied 42 15
Dissatisfied 15 35
The number of nurses that completed the It shows lack of foresight 9 12
questionnaire was 66, thus representing 71.7% of
total 66 62
those receiving the questionnaire. The average age
of the respondents was 30.9 ± 9.4 years old.
In response to the question, “Are you satisfied Table 2. Reasons for satisfaction
with medical care elements of the rehabilitation n=25 (An answer conflicts)
department?”, 42 answered “satisfied”,
Reason The number
15“dissatisfied” and 9 “it shows lack of foresight”. of people
Responses to the same question in 2000 were 15, 35
and 12 respectively (Table 1). The factors affecting Execute physical therapy at bedside 8
Availability of patient information and explanations8
satisfaction and dissatisfaction are shown in Tables Physical therapy program is good 6
2 and 3. Patients are satisfied 2
In response to the question “Is a rehabilitation Communication with physical therapists is good 2
department necessary in a hospital? ”, 64 answered
“necessary”, 0 “unnecessary”, and 2 “it shows lack
of foresight”. Responses to the same question in Table 3. Reasons for dissatisfaction
2000 were 59, 0 and 3 respectively (Table 4). n=11 (An answer conflicts)
Reason The number
DISCUSSION of people
Time for physical therapy is short 3
The previous survey indicated the patients’ wish Deficiency of the physical therapy staff 2
for physical therapy at the bedside. There was a Speech therapist and occupational therapist 2
small a physical therapy department associated with Request of clinical conference 1
the wards. In particular, the nurses wanted to Practical use of communication paper 1
provide physical therapy just after surgery. Difficulty obtaining
However, many nurses expressed satisfaction with information from the physical therapist 1
There is no advice 1
the physical therapy department in this survey. This
was due the various positive developments leading
to improvements in the physical therapy department
Table 4. Is the rehabilitation department necessary in the
over seven years and satisfactory medical care. hospital?
Furthermore, the initiation of heart rehabilitation,
increased provision of bedside physical therapy, 2007 2000
increases in nursing staff numbers and access to Necessary 64 59
information through the hospital Local Area Unnecessary 0 0
Network9) increased nurses satisfaction (Table 5). It shows lack of foresight 2 3
Table 6 shows the number of new patient Total 66 62
requests. Th is hospital started secon dary
emergency medical care in 2001, and the requests
for physical therapy increased. Most requests were nurse satisfaction.
for physical therapy at the bedside. Physical The question addressing the necessity of physical
therapy at the bedside provides a good opportunity therapy in a hospital was answered positively in
for the nurse and physical therapist to communicate. both surveys. In Japan, medical policy reforms
Ehara10) reported that this raises the awareness of have generally shortened hospital stays. A hospital
the staff of the need for strengthened must assist in the recovery of a patient over a short
communication. Therefore, physical therapy at the period and the nurses thought that technical
bedside in this hospital improved medical care and physical therapy was necessary in order to achieve a
 309

Table 5. Positive actions taken by the physical therapy department

Year Actions
2001 Start of secondary emergency medical treatment
2003 Start of heart rehabilitation
2006 An increase in nursing staff
2006 Availability of information on the hospital Local Area Network

Table 6. The increases and decreases in patient requests

Year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
The number of people 342 377 383 464 507 529 442 601 677

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The physical therapy department performs
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patients and those of the nursing department.
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