Telephone dissatisfaction in pediatric practice: Denver and Baltimore

Area of Science:

• Medical Practice Management
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Effective communication systems are crucial for efficient pediatric private practice operations.
• Physician satisfaction with practice infrastructure, such as telephone systems, can impact workflow and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the level of satisfaction among pediatricians with their telephone systems in private practice settings.
• To identify factors associated with pediatrician dissatisfaction regarding telephone use in their practices.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to pediatricians in private practice across the Denver and Baltimore metropolitan areas.
• Response rates were 84% in Denver and 72% in Baltimore, with analyses conducted on returned questionnaires.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of pediatricians (42%) in both surveyed metropolitan areas reported dissatisfaction with their telephone systems.
• Dissatisfied pediatricians were less likely to offer a morning telephone hour and delegate calls to staff.
• Perceived insufficient time for daytime calls and group practice affiliation were associated with higher dissatisfaction.

Conclusions:

• A substantial percentage of pediatricians experience dissatisfaction with their current telephone systems, impacting practice efficiency.
• Addressing time management and delegation strategies may improve pediatrician satisfaction with communication tools.
• Future research should explore technological solutions and practice management interventions to enhance telephone system utility in pediatric practices.