Patient-reported experience after outpatient breast surgery

Given the growing emphasis on patient-centered care, we determined contributory factors to a positive experience among patients undergoing outpatient breast procedures.

We retrospectively identified patients ≥18 years-old who underwent a breast operation 7/2015-12/2016 and completed a survey within two weeks. Univariate analyses evaluated associations of factors with top survey composite measures. Key driver analysis identified top-priority survey factors for improving the overall assessment measure.

Of 270 patients, patients who gave a top surgeon score were older (mean 62.5 vs 58.6 years, p = 0.048), more likely to report a pain score of 0 before discharge (87% vs 68%, p < 0.01), and were 30.8 times more likely to give a top rating overall (p < 0.01) than those who gave a lower surgeon score. Key driver analysis identified personal issues as the main target for improvement.

To achieve top outpatient ratings, providers should focus on personal issues, including pain control, especially in younger patients. Surgeons should consider focusing on involving the patient in treatment decisions and emphasizing pain control and overall needs to improve the patient experience.