Factors determining patients' satisfaction in a family practice residency teaching center

A primary function of family medicine teaching centers is to provide residents with ongoing experiences with patients and their families. A critical issue in maintaining a stable patient population for such teaching is patient satisfaction. In the study reported here, the authors examined the factors determining patients' satisfaction. A questionnaire was mailed to a representative sample of 10 percent of the patients in a family practice in a family medical center. Seventy-eight percent of the sample responded; these respondents were representative of the sample population. Four variables were identified as significant in determining the patients' satisfaction: whether the patients felt that the time spent with their identified family physician was adequate and that the physician's explanations regarding their health care and the teaching program were clear; whether the patients felt comfortable in expressing their concerns about the teaching program to the permanent staff members; whether the patients had a positive attitude regarding the teaching program; and whether the patients felt that their identified family physician was available to them.