Factors Related to Patient Satisfaction in an Outpatient Clinic

Kang, Tae Kyung; Chae, Byung Soo; Ko, Young Seok; Hwang, Hwan Sik; Park, Hoon Ki

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recently, physicians have been challenged to see more patients per office session while maintaining patient satisfaction. We examined the variables related to patient satisfaction with the time spent with physician during office visit.
METHODS
In the department of family medicine of an university hospital, a trained researcher observed patient visits by VTR and collected additional data using medical record reviews and patient exit questionnaires from July 1 to July 31, 2002 The data was analyzed statistically by SPSS ver11.0/PC .
RESULTS
Visits by 103 patients were observed in this study. Age, functional health status, time of Dr.'s talking to patients and the ratio of Dr.'s talking time to visit length were significantly associated with patient satisfaction (P<0.05). Sex, marital status, education level, new vs. established patient, reason for visit, visit length, number of problems, number of medications, body mass index, and satisfaction for time spent were not significantly associated with patient satisfaction. According to logistic regression analysis, greater patient satisfaction were associated with better perceived health status, with more ratio of Dr.'s talking time to visit length and with age younger than 40 years.
CONCLUSION
Physician can enhance patient satisfaction during an office visit by spending sufficient time to talk with patients during each visit and should take an interest in elderly patients and patients with multiple problems.