Satisfaction of care in a tertiary level diabetes clinic: correlations with diabetes knowledge, clinical outcome and health-related quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Patient satisfaction is regarded as an integral component of the quality of medical care. Therefore, as part of an ongoing process of outcome assessment, we analysed levels of satisfaction of care among patients and parents in our diabetes clinic and its relationship to short-term metabolic control outcome, diabetes knowledge and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).


METHODS
In 2004, parents and their children aged 5-18 years attending the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) diabetes clinic completed questionnaires reporting their satisfaction with care provided, HRQOL and diabetes knowledge. Concurrent HbA(1c) levels were also recorded. The reporting profile was 83 patients, 24 fathers and 110 mothers.


RESULTS
Generally, both patients and parents were satisfied with diabetes care provided at our tertiary centre. Satisfaction of care was not associated with the clinical outcome of metabolic control (measured by HbA(1c) levels), diabetes knowledge or HRQOL measures.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients and their parents in the RCH diabetes clinic appear generally satisfied with their diabetes care. The degree of satisfaction of care cannot be presumed according to clinical outcome, diabetes knowledge or HRQOL measures.
Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Ildiko H
IH
Koves
Andrew
A
Boucher
Dunia
D
Ismail
Susan
S
Donath
Fergus J
FJ
Cameron
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D014739:Victoria