title: Improving wait times in primary care using the Dartmouth microsystem improvement curriculum.
abstract: Wait times for medical care are a major factor in patient satisfaction with health care. The Dartmouth Microsystem Improvement Curriculum and Plan-Do-Study-Act improvement method were used to address patient dissatisfaction with wait times among patients receiving primary care in a Federally Qualified Health Center. Wait time data were collected for 406 patient visits during the pretest phase and 397 visits during the posttest phase. Improvements in patient satisfaction with waiting room wait time (P = .023) and examination room wait time (P = .009) were achieved.
authors.affiliation: The Malloy Group LLC, Venice, Florida 34292, USA. malloygroup.chris@verizon.net
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malloy
authors.forename: Barbara Battin
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michael
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards*; D013997:Time Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists