Patient satisfaction with care in gastrooesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

Introduction: Besides medical treatment, adequate communication and personal relationships between physicians and patients are the most important determinants of patient satisfaction. Aim: To explore doctor–patient relationships, and factors that may determine patient satisfaction with care. Method: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux (n = 80) were divided into subgroups treated by family doctors or by gastroenterologists. Patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire about communication and patient satisfaction. Results: Significantly more patients visited family doctors than gastroenterologists with health problems (80%; 20%, p < 0.001). Patients were significantly more satisfied with the information they received about the process of care provided by family doctors (95%) compared to that they obtained from gastroenterologists (65%; p = 0.002). Significantly more patients in family practices indicated that their doctors spent enough time with them compared to subspecialists (96.7%; 80% p = 0.032). Conclusions: Patients develop a closer personal relationship and more appropriate communication with family doctors compared to specialists, which can be an important component of successful treatment. Orv. Hetil., 154 (43), 1713–1718.