Trends in patient satisfaction from 1989-2003: adjusted for patient characteristics

To identify trends in patient satisfaction adjusted for sociodemographic factors and health status from 1989-2003.

Five repeated cross-sectional surveys were used. The study sample included 290,534 household members 20 years of age and over from the five survey periods of 1989, 1992, 1995, 1999, and 2003. Satisfaction was measured using a five-point scale, ranging from "very satisfied" to "very dissatisfied." Crude satisfaction rates, representing the proportion of patients satisfied (very satisfied or satisfied), were calculated for each survey period. Satisfaction rates adjusted for age, sex, marital status, education, and self-rated health status were calculated for each of the five years.

Crude satisfaction rates increased from 15.4% in 1989 to 40.5% in 2003. The proportions of satisfaction and dissatisfaction were reversed after 15 years had passed. However, the satisfaction trend was not linear throughout the different years, with 1992 being the year with the lowest satisfaction rate (9.7%). These trends in crude rates did not change even after adjusting for patient characteristics. The odds of satisfaction in 1992 were 38% lower (odds ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.64) than the odds in 1989. In 2003, the odds of satisfaction were 4.01 times (95% CI 3.89 to 4.13) the odds for 1989. Older, female, married, and less-educated people were more likely to be satisfied. Patients who rated their health as "very good" had the highest satisfaction rate, and those with "neutral" health ratings had the lowest. General hospitals achieved substantial improvement whereas pharmacies became the lowest-rated of all institutions.

The Korean health system has achieved better patient satisfaction rates over the past 15 years. Increased health expenditure, resources, and quality improvement efforts may have contributed to this progress.