Patient satisfaction with general practice in Ireland.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• General Practice Evaluation
• Patient Experience Studies

Background:

• Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare service quality.
• Evaluating non-clinical aspects of general practice is crucial for service improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze patient satisfaction with non-clinical elements of general practice in Ireland.
• To identify areas of high and low patient satisfaction.
• To examine the influence of patient characteristics on satisfaction levels.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ) administered to 2,167 patients.
• Collected data on satisfaction across various general practice elements.
• Performed statistical analysis to correlate patient characteristics with satisfaction scores.

Main Results:

• Overall patient satisfaction was 74.5%, with dissatisfaction at 14.5%.
• High satisfaction reported in communication (83.7%), general satisfaction (81.2%), access (74.4%), and premises (75%).
• Lower satisfaction observed in appointments and availability (58.6%).
• Patient age, education, gender, and public/private status significantly influenced satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Patient satisfaction in Irish general practice is generally positive but varies by service area.
• Appointment and availability issues require attention to enhance patient experience.
• Healthcare providers must consider diverse patient characteristics for effective service delivery and improved practice.