Exploring physiotherapists' personality traits that may influence treatment outcome in patients with chronic diseases: a cohort study. Issue 1 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buining, Elisah; Kooijman, Margit; Swinkels, Ilse; Pisters, Martijn; Veenhof, Cindy
• Is Part Of: BMC health services research. Volume 15:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Therapist effects -- Chronic diseases -- Personality -- Neuroticism -- Big five -- Physiotherapy -- Osteoarthritis; Public health -- Research -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Research -- Periodicals; 362.1072
• DOI: 10.1186/s12913-015-1225-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6963

Abstract

Abstract Background During treatment of patients with Chronic Diseases (CD) the therapist-patient interaction is often intense, and the strategies used during treatment require physiotherapists to assume a coaching role. Uncovering therapist factors that explain inter-therapist variation might provide tools to improve treatment outcome and to train future therapists. The purpose of this study was to explore the so-called 'therapist-effect', by looking at the influence of intrinsic therapist factors, specifically personality traits, on treatment outcome in patients with CD. Methods A cohort study was performed using data from the NIVEL Primary Care Database (NPCD) in 2011–2012 and an additional questionnaire. Patients with CD (n = 393) treated by Dutch physiotherapists working in outpatient practices (n = 39) were included. Patient and treatment outcome variables were extracted from NPCD. The course of complaint was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale. Therapist variables were measured using a questionnaire consisting of demographics and the Big Five traits: Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness to experiences. Data were analysed using multilevel linear regression. Results Only Neuroticism was found to be significant (Neuroticism F = 0.71, P = 0.01; therapist gender F = 0.72, P = 0.03; life events F = −0.54, P = 0.09; patient gender F = −0.43, P = 0.10; patient age F = 0.01, P = 0.27). Subgroup analyses of 180 patients with Osteoarthritis and 30 therapists showed similar results. Conclusions There are indications that patients with CD who are treated by therapists who tend to be calmer, more relaxed, secure and resilient have a greater reduction in severity of complaints compared to patients treated by therapists who show less of these traits. Being a male therapist and having experienced life events influence outcome positively. However, more extensive research is needed to validate the current findings.