Early patient satisfaction following orthopaedic surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Patient-Reported Outcomes
• Healthcare Satisfaction Metrics

Background:

• Healthcare is prioritizing patient satisfaction over traditional clinical outcomes.
• Orthopaedic surgeons are seeking to understand and improve patient satisfaction.
• This study focuses on factors influencing satisfaction two weeks post-extremity surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify key factors associated with patient satisfaction.
• Understand the drivers of satisfaction following orthopaedic surgery.
• Provide insights for enhancing postoperative patient experience.

Main Methods:

• Preoperative questionnaires assessed demographics, activity, pain, expectations, and PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) domains.
• Postoperative questionnaires (two weeks) included the same assessments plus an Improvement Survey and Met Expectations.
• Surgical satisfaction was measured using the Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Higher education, alcohol use, and better PROMIS scores (Physical Function, Pain Interference, Social Satisfaction, Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue) correlated with greater satisfaction.
• Higher activity levels and less bodily pain (baseline and two weeks) were associated with increased satisfaction.
• Meeting expectations and reporting greater improvement post-surgery significantly predicted higher satisfaction (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Patient satisfaction two weeks after orthopaedic surgery is multifactorial.
• Factors like education, health status, and expectations play a crucial role.
• Findings offer valuable information for orthopaedic surgeons aiming to improve patient satisfaction.