Who's My Doctor? First-Year Residents and Patient Care: Hospitalized Patients' Perception of Their "Main Physician".

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that a large portion of patient satisfaction is related to physician care, especially when the patient can identify the role of the physician on the team. Because patients encounter multiple physicians in teaching hospitals, it is often difficult to determine who the patient feels is his or her main caregiver. Surveys evaluating resident physicians would help to improve patient satisfaction but are not currently implemented at most medical institutions. INTERVENTION: We created a survey to judge patient satisfaction and to determine who patients believe is their "main physician" on the teaching service.
METHODS: Patients on a medical teaching service at The Miriam Hospital during 20 days in March 2008 were asked to complete the survey. A physician involved in the research project administered the surveys. Surveys included 3 questions that judged patient's perception and identification of their primary physician and 7 questions regarding patient satisfaction. Completed surveys were analyzed using averages.
RESULTS: Of the 126 patients identified for participation, 102 (81%) completed the survey. Most patients identified the intern (first-year resident) as their main physician. Overall, more than 90% of patients expressed satisfaction with their main physician.
CONCLUSION: Most patients on the teaching service perceived the intern as their main physician and were satisfied with their physician's care. One likely reason is that interns spend the greatest amount of time with patients on the teaching service.