Robert K Gribble1, Cherie Haupt. 1. Department of Quality Improvement, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA. gribble.robert@marshfieldclinic.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction surveys are widely used to measure patients' opinions of the quality of the health care they have received. There are a variety of methods for distributing patient satisfaction surveys. Different distribution methods may yield significantly different satisfaction ratings. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare survey ratings obtained via 2 distribution methods: handout versus mailed. DESIGN: Patients were randomized to receive either a handout survey or a mailed survey. SUBJECTS:Patients who had an appointment with a family practice provider in one of the regional outpatient centers of a large medical clinic during a 3-week period. MEASURES: An 11-item visit-specific patient satisfaction survey was used to survey patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Handout surveys yielded higher satisfaction scores than mailed surveys. The response rate was higher with handout surveys than with mailed surveys. However, handout surveys were returned with more skipped questions, a lower variation in ratings, and fewer written comments than the mailed surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Both quantitative and qualitative differences between the 2 distribution methods were revealed. Attempts to compare data obtained from the 2 different distribution methods need to be approached with caution.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Patient satisfaction surveys are widely used to measure patients' opinions of the quality of the health care they have received. There are a variety of methods for distributing patient satisfaction surveys. Different distribution methods may yield significantly different satisfaction ratings. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare survey ratings obtained via 2 distribution methods: handout versus mailed. DESIGN:Patients were randomized to receive either a handout survey or a mailed survey. SUBJECTS:Patients who had an appointment with a family practice provider in one of the regional outpatient centers of a large medical clinic during a 3-week period. MEASURES: An 11-item visit-specific patient satisfaction survey was used to survey patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Handout surveys yielded higher satisfaction scores than mailed surveys. The response rate was higher with handout surveys than with mailed surveys. However, handout surveys were returned with more skipped questions, a lower variation in ratings, and fewer written comments than the mailed surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Both quantitative and qualitative differences between the 2 distribution methods were revealed. Attempts to compare data obtained from the 2 different distribution methods need to be approached with caution.
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