Comparison of resident and faculty patient satisfaction surveys in a pediatric ambulatory clinic.
BACKGROUND
Patient satisfaction is an important component of quality of care. To date, no studies have looked at differences in faculty and resident patient satisfaction in a pediatric practice.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to compare physician measures of patient satisfaction among residents in training and faculty attendings.


METHODS
We conducted satisfaction surveys containing 4 questions related to physician performance at a children's health clinic. We compared satisfaction scores across training levels of physicians.


RESULTS
We analyzed 676 surveys. The 2nd-year and 3rd/4th-year residents had similar high scores on all questions compared to faculty preceptors. The 1st-year residents scored significantly lower than faculty preceptors, 3rd/4th-year residents, and 2nd-year residents on 1 question and the combined average of the 3 physician-specific questions.


CONCLUSIONS
The 1st-year residents scored lower on patient satisfaction than physicians at higher levels of training. The 2nd-year and 3rd/4th-year residents achieved high satisfaction scores in a primary care clinic, comparable to scores of experienced practitioners.
Monk
Susan M
SM
Department of Pediatrics, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio 45404, USA. monks@childrensdayton.org
Nanagas
Maria T
MT
Fitch
Jody L
JL
Stolfi
Adrienne
A
Pickoff
Arthur S
AS
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009820:Ohio; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010372:Pediatrics; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires