Factors Associated With Physical Therapy Attendance Rate and Self-Discharge in People With Chronic Pain

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with physical therapy (PT) attendance and self-discharge in patients with chronic pain. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review with survey. METHODS: Organizational reports were screened for patients with chronic pain. A retrospective review of the electronic medical record was performed, and a survey invitation was sent to the evaluating therapist. Poisson regression analyzed factors related to attendance, while logistic regression analyzed factors related to self-discharge. RESULTS: The 200 patients had attendance and self-discharge rates of 73% and 55%, respectively. Attendance rates were lower in patients whose therapists reported higher comfort levels with treating chronic pain and slightly higher in patients with a longer duration of care. Odds of self-discharge were higher if the patient had a higher no-show rate or was seen by a therapist reporting higher comfort levels with treating chronic pain but were lower if more PT visits were completed. CONCLUSION: In this study, attendance rates and self-discharge were related to several patient- and therapist-driven factors. Therapists should identify each patient’s potential facilitators and/or barriers to attending PT and prepare them for self-management of their condition upon discharge. JOSPT Open 2024;2(4):332-339. Epub 7 August 2024. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2024.1136