title: Patient satisfaction and quality of care at four diagnostic imaging procedures: mammography, double-contrast barium enema, abdominal ultrasonography and vaginal ultrasonography.
abstract: The objective of this study was to measure patient satisfaction and to investigate the practical implications of monitoring the quality of care at four radiology procedures. A survey was conducted immediately after the examinations in eight radiology departments: 550 patients attending for mammography, 110 for double-contrast barium enema (DCBE), 97 for abdominal ultrasonography and 90 for vaginal ultrasonography. Outcome measures were seven questionnaire scales: pain, emotional distress, information received, staff's punctuality and technical ability, facilities, and general satisfaction. Response rate was 87 %. Multivariate regression analysis showed significant differences between procedures on all scales (p < 0.001). Differences considered to be of practical importance, i. e. >/= 7 scale points, were detected on five of the scales. Mammography and DCBE caused the most pain, and vaginal US and DCBE caused the most distress. The US procedures entailed dissatisfaction with information about the procedures. The DCBE patients recorded dissatisfaction with the staff's lack of punctuality, and these and the mammography patients recorded dissatisfaction with the facilities. The findings indicate a potential for improving patients' experiences. Several aspects of care, i. e. pain management, attention to the patient's emotional concerns, explanation of procedures, punctuality and quality of the facilities, can be improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, Ullevål terrasse, Ullevål sykehus, Kirkeveien 166, N-0450 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Loken
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steine
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Laerum
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D019160:Endosonography; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate