Osteopathic treatment in the Brazilian public health service

User satisfaction has been considered as an important component in assessing the quality of care1,2 and as part of participative attention model proposed by Brazilian Public Health Policies, with a significant and fundamental role in interaction between user and service deliverer, in a way that the service may comprehend and act according to users' necessities.2–4 i) To evaluate user satisfaction about physical therapy services in the Ouro Verde Hospital in the city of Campinas, Brazil; and ii) evaluate the sociodemographic profile and their satisfaction relating to the services received. A questionnaire was used containing close-ended questions concerning sociodemographic data,1,2 access to services and user satisfaction was administered. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Biostat software by Kruskal–Wallis and T student tests. The user profile of the physiotherapy service results show woman predominance (75%), mean age 51 ± 14.8, and relatively low socio-economic-cultural status. High level of satisfaction as to therapist-patient relationship staff. The structural conditions and access to the service, had a regular classification. The questionnaire of the SF-36 health survey did not detect significant changes in the quality of life, but showed significant improvement in functional capacity, significant pain reduction and improvement of social interactions. The assessment of quality of life in the present work, showed significant differences on some issues such as social interaction, pain and functional ability,5,6 which could be related to the short-term effects of osteopathic techniques. On other aspects of the SF-36 (score, role limitations due to physical and emotional, general health and vitality, p ≥ 0,05) indicate the need for studies and monitoring of the effects of osteopathy in the long term.6 This experience shows the possibility of including osteopath physiotherapist in the public service of health, with low investment in infrastructure and equipment, and good acceptance of the services, improving social interaction, functional ability and reduces pain, which may reduce health costs for government.7