Improving patient satisfaction in a multidisciplinary pediatric feeding clinic

Pediatric feeding disorders can result from psychosocial dysfunction, poor feeding skills, or medical or nutritional disorders. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction at the multidisciplinary feeding clinic (MFC) and improve patient satisfaction by reducing patient wait times, improving communication, maximizing clinic space, and expanding inclusivity of our patients and their families in the decision-making process.

A survey was created with 14 questions and distributed to all patients who came to the MFC at the University of Iowa. The baseline surveys were administered from September 2021 to November 2021. The following interventions were implemented: reducing time to room a patient, maximizing clinic space, increasing clinical efficiency, and providing more education. Follow-up surveys were collected from December 2022 to March 2023.

A total of 84 subjects: 41 for the pre-intervention group and 43 for the post-intervention group. There were statistically significant differences noted in these categories: the team thoroughly explaining the treatment plan, answering all questions, and getting parents involved in the decision-making process. Families appreciated the team making the patient feel included throughout the visit. Providing spacious rooms and short wait times were also rated highly.

Overall satisfaction for the MFC at the University of Iowa was rated as highly satisfactory. Areas of further improvement included shortening patient wait times and providing more education for families. This study highlights the continued importance of surveying patients to identify areas of improvement in multidisciplinary clinics.