Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of a Brief Telephone Support Intervention on Initial Attendance at Physiotherapy Group Sessions for Pelvic Floor Problems.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of a brief telephone call to patients on a waiting list for physiotherapy treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction on initial attendance.

DESIGN

Three-armed randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Outpatient physiotherapy clinic at a hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Female patients (N=130; mean age, 51.47±13.33y; range, 26-84y) with various pelvic floor dysfunction problems.

INTERVENTIONS

Telephone support call (2-10min) 3 days before or 3 days after receiving an invitation letter to physiotherapy sessions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Attendance at the initial physiotherapy group session.

RESULTS

Groups receiving a telephone call demonstrated 80% attendance at the session, with no significant difference between these groups. The group receiving no call had significantly lower attendance rates (50%) than did the call groups. The telephone support was more effective in those people who were older, came from less economically deprived areas, and had been on the waiting list for less time.

CONCLUSIONS

A brief telephone support call may be an effective method to enhance patient attendance at treatment, but it may work best when targeted at certain groups of individuals.