Epidemiological Profile of Patients Attending Physiotherapy Unit at Klinik Kesihatan Bagan Serai, Perak

Abstract

Introduction: As the front line of the health service and the provider of 90% of formal health care services, Klinik Kesihatan plays key role in developing an equitable health service and responding to the needs of different population groups. Thus, it is important to know the epidemiological profile of the people attending Physiotherapy Unit at Klinik Kesihatan in order to understand the role, responsibilities and challenges of physiotherapist working in Klinik Kesihatan. Methods: This is a retrospective study where the clinical records of patients attended Physiotherapy Unit at Klinik Kesihatan Bagan Serai between November 2017 and November 2019 were retrieved. Three categories of information were defined prospectively (i) sociodemographic, (ii) physiotherapy services and (iii) defaulter. Results: Of the 380 evaluation cards selected via random sampling, 350 met the study criteria. Most of the patients who attended Physiotherapy Unit were female (57%), 25-59 years (65%), Malay (69%), married (70%), unemployed (34%) and from the B40 household income (86%). Among the unemployed, majority (73%) of patients who attended the physiotherapy unit are housewife. Main cases referred to physiotherapy were musculoskeletal (90%) with the problem mostly on knee (25%), shoulder (21%) and back (19%). The most common physiotherapy treatment given was therapeutic exercise (56%). As high as 40% default rates were identified within this sample. Conclusion: Understanding the epidemiological profile of patients attending Klinik Kesihatan is important to maximize the benefits of physiotherapy treatment and prevent defaulters.