Medical practices' sensitivity to patients' needs. Opportunities and practices for improvement.

This article presents the results of a national study of medical practices' patient satisfaction using data collected from January to December 2001 with Press Ganey Associates' Medical Practice Survey (n = 503,407). The question, "Our sensitivity to your needs" (r = 0.85), most highly correlated with overall patient satisfaction. Patients' age, sex, or first visit were not predictors of sensitivity to patients' needs. Responses highly correlated with sensitivity to patients' needs: (1) concern for patients' privacy, (2) cheerfulness of practice, (3) care received during visit, and (4) likelihood to recommend practice. Patient perception and satisfaction with medical practices' sensitivity to patient needs and recommended practices for improvement are discussed.