Psychology input to an orthognathic clinic: Patients' perception of service quality

The aim of this study was to assess patient satisfaction with a clinical psychology service, integrated within an inter-disciplinary orthognathic planning clinic.

A self-report, custom-designed questionnaire was sent to patients who had completed orthognathic treatment within the last three years. Of the 60 patients approached, 49 responded.

The great majority of patients agreed that there was a need for a psychological assessment and that its purpose was adequately explained. Most patients were happy with the information given during their appointment and found the experience helpful. A number of patients felt that additional appointments would have been helpful shortly before, and after, surgery.

The group of orthognathic patients studied found the pre-treatment psychology assessment, provided for them through the combined clinic, to be very acceptable and beneficial. Some suggested that further appointments, throughout the treatment journey, as well as supportive literature, might also have been helpful.