Physiotherapists Perception on Patient Adherence to Physiotherapy Services in Goa, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Physiotherapists often prescribe home-based exercises; the effectiveness of these exercises in enhancing patient outcomes is linked to adherence. The outcome and the recovery of the patient are implicated to the patient adherence. Aim: To estimate the rate of perceived adherence to physiotherapy services in Goa, among physiotherapists working in government and private settings. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 physiotherapists working in North and South Goa. The study was carried out at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa between October 2024 and April 2025. The sample size of 150 was calculated with an expected proportion (p) of 0.4, representing the anticipated proportion of the target population. Participants holding a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy or higher were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire, which was divided into two major sections: the first captured demographic information, including name, age, gender, location of practice, and years of professional experience, while the second focused on physiotherapists’ perceptions of patient adherence, barriers to adherence, and strategies employed to enhance exercise compliance. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0, employing descriptive analysis to determine mean values of the demographic characteristics-such as age, gender, location of practice, years of professional experience as well as percentage of perceived adherence. Additionally, the study examined barriers, and methods used to promote exercise compliance. Results: The perceived rate of patient adherence to physiotherapy services in Goa was ascertained to be 90.67% among 136 participants. This study revealed a strong level of patient adherence to physiotherapy services in Goa. The most commonly observed barriers for lack of adherence were found to be personal/patient factors (lack of motivation, belief) and therapist’s factors (lack of empathy, time). The most widely utilised intervention to monitor and improve adherence was activity monitoring and feedback systems. Conclusion: In contrast to previous studies conducted in India, this study reveals a higher rate of perceived adherence to Physiotherapy services in Goa.