Patient satisfaction: Concept analysis in the healthcare context

Patient satisfaction had been the focus of many scientific studies worldwide. However, very few studies published had addressed the definition of the concept of patient satisfaction. Therefore this present concept analysis is to explore the attributes of the concept in the broader healthcare context.

The Rodgers method, an inductive method of concept analysis, was selected to guide this concept analysis.

The attributes of patient satisfaction in the healthcare context identified were provider attitude, technical competence, accessibility, and efficacy. Perception in relation to expectation, patient demographics and personality, and market competition were regarded as prerequisites of patient satisfaction. Consequences of patient satisfaction identified in this analysis were: patient compliance, clinical outcomes, loyalty and referrals.

As healthcare is becoming an increasingly competitive marketplace, studying patient experience could certainly help practitioners to better encompass patient perspectives in service delivery and improve patient satisfaction.

To ensure the validity of patient satisfaction measurement and subsequently improve healthcare quality, practitioners should involve patients in identifying important factors relevant to each attributes of patient satisfaction.