Patients' perspective on the comprehensive preventive health evaluation in veterans with spinal cord injury.
METHODS
Survey research methods.


OBJECTIVE
To assess patient satisfaction with the annual comprehensive preventative health evaluation (CPHE) and to determine if the patient's needs were being met.


METHODS
Department of Veterans Affairs National Survey, United States.


METHODS
A total of 853 subjects with spinal cord injuries participated in a mailed survey regarding the annual CPHE. Subjects were asked about satisfaction with the examination, preferences on how the examination is conducted and whether their needs were being met with the examination.


RESULTS
In all, 76% of the subjects that responded to the survey had completed a CPHE within the previous year. Subjects cited getting their medication and supplies refilled and talking to the doctor as the top two reasons for completing the evaluation. Subjects indicated that they would most like to discuss their muscle strength and weakness, bladder care, chronic pain, digestion and bowel care issues, and equipment problems during their evaluation. The majority of subjects (81%) indicated that they were satisfied with the CPHE. Subjects that were satisfied with the CPHE were also more satisfied with other aspects of care as well.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of respondents had completed a CPHE within the previous year. Most respondents cite health issues related to the spinal cord injury as areas they would most like to discuss during the evaluation. The majority of subjects were satisfied with the conduct of the CPHE.
Collins
E G
EG
Midwest Center for Health Services and Policy Research, Research & Development, Edward Hines Jr, Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL 60141, USA.
Langbein
W E
WE
Smith
B
B
Hendricks
R
R
Hammond
M
M
Weaver
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*