Patient satisfaction: care of the elderly

A small pilot study concerned with elderly patients' feelings about their stay in hospital was carried out, the purpose being to discover how satisfied patients were with the facilities and certain aspects of care in a modern geriatric assessment unit within one of the largest, most recently opened hospitals in one of the major cities in the country. Information was collected by means of a questionnaire and interview following the patients' discharge from hospital. Satisfaction with hospital stay was high amongst both male and female patients. Certain aspects in the provision of 'modern' facilities seemed particularly pleasing to the patients interviewed. Interesting differences were demonstrated between male and female patients with regard to mobility patterns before discharge and also satisfaction with communications between male and female patients and those involved with their care. It is anticipated that following this pilot study the areas of difference and of dissatisfaction can be looked at more specifically in a future study of elderly patients.