title: Patient perceptions of the otolaryngology ward round in a teaching hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This survey assesses patients' perceptions of a daily otolaryngology ward round in a teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Initial, open-ended questionnaires generated themes from which a structured questionnaire was constructed. Patients' perceptions in a wide range of areas were examined by asking them to indicate on a Likert scale the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with a number of statements concerning various aspects of the ward round.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred patients were surveyed. The response rate was 79 per cent. The findings showed overall patient satisfaction with the ward round, particularly in the areas of information-giving regarding diagnosis, treatment and follow-up arrangements. The large size of the ward round appeared to be intimidating and induced anxiety for approximately one-third of patients. Patients wished the roles of staff present to be better defined and to be informed of the presence of medical students. One-third of patients perceived staff to use language that was difficult to understand.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survey identified some improvement opportunities and will assist our department with its on-going endeavours to improve the ward round experience for both patients and staff.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: M-L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Montague
authors.forename: S S M
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D006769:Hospitals, General; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D010036:Otolaryngology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires