Expectations and satisfaction of runners with injury treatments.
Seventy-eight runners competing in three Iowa races were surveyed concerning their most recent running injury for which they sought medical care from a family physician, an orthopedic surgeon, or a podiatrist. Their reasons for choosing a doctor, expectations of care, and satisfaction with treatment received were assessed. Most patients selected the orthopedic (50%) or podiatric (42%) physicians upon the recommendation of other runners; only 13% of the family physicians were selected from recommendations. Orthopedic and podiatric patients were more likely than family physician patients to expect x-rays. There was no difference in overall patient satisfaction with treatment received from the three groups of physicians. The runners felt that all physician groups treated their running injuries equally well.
Fick
D S
DS
Department of Family Practice, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Xakellis
G C
GC
Gjerde
C L
CL
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010808:Physical Examination; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011032:Podiatry; D012420:Running