Patient satisfaction and health status.

This paper examines the relationship between satisfaction and functional health status of the patient. Based on a sample of 463 patients from three hospitals, there was no relationship between the physical component summary score of the SF-36 and overall Press, Ganey patient satisfaction score. There was a weak negative relationship between the mental health component summary score of the SF-36 and the Press, Ganey patient satisfaction score. Similar patterns were observed when the relationships between functional status and patient satisfaction are examined for specific treatment groups. The strength of the relationship between mental health and satisfaction was slightly stronger for cardiology patients. Among obstetrics patients there was no relationship between either health status measure and satisfaction. A weak positive relationship between physical health status and patient satisfaction was observed among medical/surgical patients. Based on the weak or non-existent relationships between the variables, patient satisfaction does not appear to be influenced by the health of the patient when discharged.