Important qualities in physiatrists: perceptions of rehabilitation team members and patients.

Abstract

To determine the personal qualities important in physiatrists as described by patients and rehabilitation team members. An oral survey. Adult rehabilitation service at a teaching rehabilitation institution affiliated with an academic medical center. Convenience sample of 171 people including inpatients, rehabilitation nurses, occupational and physical therapists, and resident and full-time attending physicians. Two questions to elicit the personal qualities that were considered important in a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Subjects' responses grouped as personal qualities (personality), working qualities (professionalism), competence, caring, and collegiality. Caring and competence qualities were the most important to patients. Collegiality and caring were valued most by the rehabilitation staff. Personal qualities and competence were of relatively greater importance to the physiatrists. There was significant variability in the relative. value assigned to each of the five groups of traits among the respondents. Knowledge of the desires and expectations of the people involved in the rehabilitation process may benefit rehabilitation patients, physicians, and staff.