Patient satisfaction with treatment for chronic pain: predictors and relationship to compliance.
OBJECTIVE
Patient satisfaction with treatment has been extensively researched in a variety of medical patients. However, satisfaction with treatment of chronic pain has received considerably less attention. The present study sought to identify the predictors of patient satisfaction with treatment of chronic pain. In addition, the relationship between patient satisfaction and compliance with treatment recommendations was explored.


METHODS
One hundred eighty patients (84 men and 96 women) seeking treatment of chronic pain at University of Florida pain clinics were recruited for this telephone follow-up study.


RESULTS
Satisfaction ratings were generally high, with ratings of satisfaction with care significantly higher (t179=9.58, P<0.001) than ratings of satisfaction with improvement. Aspects of the patient-provider interaction, pain relief, and anxiety at treatment onset predicted satisfaction with care. These same variables, with the exception of anxiety, also predicted satisfaction with improvement. Those patients who were more satisfied with their improvement were also more compliant with treatment recommendations, and this relationship was stronger for health care provider-rated compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest the importance of distinguishing between satisfaction with care and satisfaction with improvement in assessments. Satisfaction with treatment of chronic pain is not merely a matter of pain relief. To increase the probability of treatment success and satisfaction, attention to the interpersonal aspects of the health care provider-patient relationship appear critical. Explanations for satisfaction's stronger relationship to health care provider-rated compliance were discussed.
Hirsh
Adam T
AT
Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0165, USA.
Atchison
James W
JW
Berger
Jerry J
JJ
Waxenberg
Lori B
LB
Lafayette-Lucey
Ann
A
Bulcourf
Bernard B
BB
Robinson
Michael E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011336:Probability; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome