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http://hdl.handle.net/11375/22990
Title: | Evaluating Patient Satisfaction in the Neuroscience Patient Population |
Other Titles: | Evaluating Patient Satisfaction in the Neuroscience Poipulation |
Authors: | Martin-Gaspar, Charmaine |
Advisor: | Synge, Jane Wells, John |
Department: | None |
Keywords: | patient;satisfaction;neuroscience |
Publication Date: | Jul-1999 |
Abstract: | Patient satisfaction regarding health care has been recognized as an important variable for promoting effective and efficient utilization of health care services, improving compliance with treatment regimes, improving health outcomes for the patient and eliciting patients for future care (Charles, Gauld. Chambers, O'Brien, Haynes & LaBelle, 1994,p.1814). Since the basic premise of health care is to improve the health of others, improving the level of satisfaction with care is essential. Also, with the cuts in financial support for Ontario health care, efficient utilization of health care resources and improved health outcomes are primary goals for hospital administrators, health professionals and politicians. The Neuroscience Program, at the Hamilton Health Science Corporation (HHSC), felt it necessary to evaluate the current level of patient satisfaction from the neurological patients and their family members, to identify opportunities for improvement in care, and to identify whether the neurological impaired patients and their families have unique care needs. A review of the research on patient satisfaction revealed that neurological patient's had not been specifically studied for their level of satisfaction with their health care. In other bodies of research, the neuroscience patient population had been identified as needing frequent, current information and communications in understandable terms. For the patients who sustain cognitive. behavioural, and speech impairments, and those with a decreased level of consciousness, these patients and family members identified information and support as their highest needs. The need for hope was also identified as a priority. In the general patient population, the need for sufficient personal care, emotional support, and increased family involvement in the patient's care were acknowledged as additional areas for improvement. Discharge planning was also recognized as being an area in need of significant improvements. In analyzing the information available to the Neuroscience Program regarding current level of patient satisfaction, there were only three main sources of information. These three sources were the letters from patients and families regarding care, the previous corporate discharge questionnaire, and a focus group study. In reviewing these data themes similar to those noted above were recognized. The need for timely, pertinent, understandable information and education was imperative. In addition, safety and personal care issues were identified, especially in the case of very ill or very confused patients. Finally, the greatest concern noted by the patients and families was the fear that their feedback might go back to the health care team, potentially jeopardizing their future care. These concerns were most pronounced in the case of patients with diagnostic conditions such as head injury, brain hemorrhage (vascular) and brain tumours (neoplasia), hydrocephalus and spinal cord injuries with impairment. These patients also tended to have the longest stays in hospital and the highest levels of disability. The stakeholders of the Neuroscience Program were interviewed to examine the most relevant areas for study. Communication, information and education were identified as pivotal to improvement in all other aspects of care. A qualitative method of examination was felt to be the most appropriate to collect extensive information. Also, quantitative data would be collected on a patient satisfaction survey that was being implemented by the HHSC. The critical incident technique, by Flanagan (1954), was chosen as the preferred method of data, as it allowed for a consistent focus to the interviews while still collecting in-depth information. In reviewing and utilizing all of the above information, the research project is outlined using Flanagan's framework and the cycle for improvement outlined by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Each step of the process is outlined from the design phase, data collection, data analyses, interpretation and implementation of the improvements. The study, once implemented, should be viewed as a year-to-year process and as being an integral part of the overall quality plan for evaluating patient satisfaction. A database should be established bringing together both patient and family information in order to assess for changes over time. |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/22990 |
Appears in Collections: | Digitized Open Access Dissertations and Theses |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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martin-gaspar_charmaine_1999July_masters.pdf | 8 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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