Students’ opinions regarding the scents of physical therapists

Abstract

[Purpose] Scents have both positive and negative aspects, represented by aromatherapy and age-related body odors, respectively. This study examined students’ opinions (and reasons for them) of fragrance use by physical therapists as a countermeasure against unfavorable body odors, in addition to the association between such opinions and questionnaire items. [Subjects and Methods] Students simulating physical therapists executed movements for transfer assistance, with a fragrance mist smelling like soap applied. Subsequently, other male and female students simulating patients responded a questionnaire regarding such fragrance use and scents in the clinical setting to clarify the association between their opinions and the questionnaire items. [Results] Among males and females, 81.8% and 51.6%, respectively, showed positive attitudes toward fragrance use, and the most frequent reason for this was “It creates a clean feeling”. In contrast, the most frequent reason for negative opinions about it was “Medical professionals should be scentless”. There was no association between the students’ opinions regarding fragrance use and the questionnaire items. [Conclusion] Opinions varied among the students, as some affirmed fragrance use, while others unfavorably evaluated the scents of physical therapists, suggesting the necessity of discussing scents that are acceptable in the clinical setting as a challenge.