Factors Influencing Patients' Preference for Telemedicine in Physical Therapy: The Roles of Perceived Provider Expertise and Integrity.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined factors influencing physical therapy patients' preference for virtual over in-person physical therapy. Key variables included physical therapy patients' technology comfort (TC), virtual treatment self-efficacy (VTSE), perceived provider expertise (PPE), and perceived provider integrity (PPI). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of physical therapy patients was conducted in collaboration with a regional physical therapy provider. Data were collected from February to May 2025, resulting in 141 complete responses from patients aged 18-83 years. RESULTS: Patients' mean preference for virtual over in-person physical therapy was 2.97 (±1.27), as measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Multiple regression analysis indicated that patients' preference for virtual physical therapy (VPT) was positively associated with VTSE (β = 0.450, p < 0.001) and PPE (β = 0.484, p = 0.010). Additionally, TC had a significant positive interaction with PPI (β = 0.301, p = 0.035), and VTSE had a significant positive interaction with PPE (β = 0.358, p = 0.033). Demographic factors were not significantly associated with preference for VPT. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that ]patients' confidence and provider-related perceptions have important associations with their preference for VPT. By fostering patients' confidence in applying virtual treatments and enhancing perceptions of provider expertise and integrity, physical therapy providers may influence patient preference for telerehabilitation. The findings highlight the need for further research on how patients' preference for virtual care is shaped by how they view their health care providers.