Patient satisfaction with chiropractic physicians in an independent physicians' association.
BACKGROUND
Satisfaction with care is one of the variables that can be used in determining the results of medical care. Patient satisfaction surveys allow managed care plans to determine how well their providers meet certain standards.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the level of satisfaction with chiropractic care in a random sample of patients seen by physician members of a chiropractic independent physicians' association.


METHODS
A visit-specific questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 150 patients from health insurance claims filed in the first two months of 2000.


RESULTS
The rate of return was 44%. Various aspects of chiropractic care were given a rating of "excellent" by the following percentage of respondents: Length of time to get an appointment (84.9%); convenience of the office (57.7%); access to the office by telephone (77.3%); length of wait at the office (75.7%); time spent with the provider (74.3%); explanation of what was done during the visit (72.8%); technical skills of the chiropractor (83.3%); and the personal manner of the chiropractor (92.4%). The visit overall was rated as excellent by 83.3% of responders, and 95.5% stated they would definitely recommend the provider to others.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated a high satisfaction rate among managed-care patients.
Gemmell
H A
HA
Oklahoma State Chiropractic Independent Physicians' Association, Tulsa, Okla.
Hayes
B M
BM
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D002684:Chiropractic / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007193:Independent Practice Associations / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors