[Satisfaction with medical care in hospitals for elderly people]

To examine satisfaction with medical care in hospital for elderly people, a questionnaire was sent to 900 patients who discharged two geriatric hospitals recently. 598 answers were obtained (66%) and analyzed in relation to activity of daily living (ADL) and types of disorder. Although patients who were not satisfied with medical care were only 7 cases (1.2%), patients with lowered ADL and with cerebrovascular disease or bone/joint disease showed significantly negative response. These patients admitted immediately and stayed longer periods than other patients, but they wanted to stay more days in hospital. In addition, these patients judged attitude of medical staffs negatively in comparison with other ADL groups and other disorders. On the contrary, total dependency in daily living did not relate to dissatisfaction with medical care and attitude of medical staffs. Withholding of judgment was characteristic answer in this group. Satisfaction with keeping privacy in hospital decreased in parallel to decrease of ADL. These results suggest that dissatisfaction with medical care is centered on patients with compromised independence. This must be considered when improving quality of life in elderly people.