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The Relationship Between Physician Friendliness and Caring, and Patient Satisfaction: Findings from an Internet-Based Survey

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Author Info

  • Adam A. Uhas

    (Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, Ohio, USA)

  • Fabian T. Camacho

    (Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA)

  • Steven R. Feldman

    (Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA)

  • Rajesh Balkrishnan

    (Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, Ohio, USA)

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    Abstract

    Background: This study examines patient satisfaction with physicians. Patient satisfaction is a quality measure that affects treatment outcomes. More specifically, it examines how a patient's perception of physician friendliness and caring can affect patient satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted with a convenience sample of 20_901 patients who rated their recent visit to a physician via an internet-based survey. The survey included questions on aspects of overall satisfaction with physician care and office practice as well as more detailed items, including demographics, physician `friendliness and caring' (collectively referred to as `empathy' in this paper), time spent with the doctor, and areas that could be improved. Responses to the questions were on a scale from 0 (`not at all satisfied') to 10 (`extremely satisfied'). These scales were then used to represent patient satisfaction. Results: Of the 20_901 patients who participated in the online survey, perceived empathy was the most predominant correlate associated with patient satisfaction with their physician, with a partial correlation of 0.87 (p_<_0.001) and a Pearson correlation of 0.92 (p_<_0.001). Patient satisfaction with the office setting was also highly correlated with empathy scores, with a partial correlation of 0.72 (p_<_0.001) and a Pearson correlation of 0.83 (p_<_0.001). Other factors, such as waiting time, and problems with appointments, staff, records, parking, doctor care, and ways of obtaining information, also played a role in patients' overall satisfaction with the physician. Conclusions: Patient satisfaction ratings are strongly correlated with patient perceptions of physician friendliness and caring.

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    Bibliographic Info

    Article provided by Springer Healthcare | Adis in its journal The Patient - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research.

    Volume (Year): 1 (2008)
    Issue (Month): 2 ()
    Pages: 91-96
    Download reference. The following formats are available: HTML (with abstract), plain text (with abstract), BibTeX, RIS (EndNote, RefMan, ProCite), ReDIF
    Handle: RePEc:wkh:thepat:v:1:y:2008:i:2:p:91-96

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    Web page: http://thepatient.adisonline.com/

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    Related research

    Keywords: General-practice; Patient-care; Patient-preference;

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