Determinants of patient satisfaction in a military teaching hospital

The purpose of this study was to determine the aspects of hospital services that are most likely to affect patient satisfaction in a military teaching hospital in Turkey. Although there have been many studies on patient satisfaction in Turkey and other countries, few studies have been done in military hospitals. A patient satisfaction questionnaire using a 4-point Likert scale was mailed to 500 patients after discharge, and 316 questionnaires were returned. The findings indicated that satisfaction with physician, nursing, physical plant, and food services were the main determinants of overall satisfaction with the hospital. The type of clinic in which the patients stayed also was an important determinant. The effect of patients' demographic characteristics on overall satisfaction with the hospital was also examined, and only lower education level was a statistically significant determinant.