A single-page form asking patients to list discussion points and goals improved patient satisfaction and physicians' ability to receive timely feedback, according to a study published April 14 in Neurosurgery.
Collecting patient feedback is beneficial to both patients, in that they feel heard, and physicians. In this study, researchers from Duke Health evaluated the impact and feasibility of a one-page form to improve in patient satisfaction and physician feedback.
"National surveys show that up to half of all patients leave the clinic visit with an unvoiced need," said Oren Gottfried, MD, clinical vice chair for quality in the department of neurosurgery at Duke University School of Medicine and lead author of a study. "In a typical visit, patients might forget or not articulate all their concerns, due to being intimidated by the doctor's office or doctor, feeling anxious or rushed, or not knowing how to share or voice their questions. These miscommunications and missed opportunities can affect care and patient safety."
The form asked patients for a list of topics they wanted to discuss during a visit, if their questions were addressed properly and if they were satisfied. The form gives patients a tool to focus on what they want out of their visit while also providing valuable physician feedback data.
Duke clinicians provided 14,600 patients in specialty practices with the form over a one-year period. Results showed the tool, which had a 96 percent utilization rate, was considered more valuable than the CG-CAHPS survey by physicians.
"From a patient standpoint, this simple tool helps them feel and know their doctor is listening to them and addressing their concerns," Gottfried said. "From a physician standpoint, it very clearly tells them their patients' goals, which means everyone's time is used effectively. And doctors, like anyone, appreciate real-time feedback, including positive comments from patients. This is all about patient satisfaction, patient-doctor communication, and doctor satisfaction. In the end it boils down to being more patient-centric, and that's what health care should be about."
Cara joined TriMed Media in 2016 and is currently a Senior Writer for Clinical Innovation & Technology. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, she holds a Bachelors in Health Communications from Grand Valley State University.