Satisfaction of patients attending an arthritis clinic in a county teaching hospital

Abstract

Objective. To gather information about the satisfaction of medically indigent arthritis patients with their health care. Methods. Patients attending a university-affiliated county hospital arthritis clinic were surveyed using a questionnaire about their satisfaction with various aspects of the clinic. Results. Two hundred thirty-two out of 283 questionnaires were completed. Patients were most satisfied with the care given by doctors, and least satisfied with the waiting times; accessibility, environment, and information received intermediate responses. Although most patients said that they were satisfied with their overall care, only 53% would continue to attend the clinic if they had full insurance. Conclusion. A number of aspects of health care delivery were sources of dissatisfaction for medically indigent arthritis patients. Attention to these concerns could increase overall satisfaction and perhaps improve compliance in this group of patients.