Judy Y. Chen|May Lin Tao|Diana M. Tisnado|Jennifer L. Malin|Clifford Y. Ko|Martha Timmer|John Adams|Patricia A. Ganz|Katherine L. Kahn
Impact of Physician–Patient Discussions on Patient Satisfaction
Benchmark Research (United States)|VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System|RAND Corporation|RAND Corporation|RAND Corporation
background 2 treatment choices ie mastectomy vs breast conserving therapy show difference primary clinical outcome ie survival patient satisfaction becomes important marker quality care received objectives assess impact physicianpatient discussion primary surgical treatment outcomes patients satisfaction medical care mc among women incident breast cancer bc method used selfreport data populationbased survey 495 women 50 years age stage iii bc los angeles california 2000 conducted mean 75 24 months diagnosis using multivariable analyses evaluated impact physicianpatient outcome discussions ie bc recurrence bc survival breast appearance arm swellingpainmovement difficulty patient satisfaction baseline followup results women satisfied mc 65 half reported physicianpatient discussions bc recurrence 54 breast appearance 50 arm painswellingmovement difficulty 55 thirtyone percent discussed bc survival women discussed arm swelling pain movement difficulty significantly likely satisfied baseline odds ratio 18 95 confidence interval 1130 p 005 followup odds ratio 19 95 confidence interval 1230 p 001 treatment outcomes patients discussed physicians higher patient satisfaction ratings baseline followup conclusions physicianpatient discussions bc treatment outcomes highly correlated patients satisfaction overall mc regardless procedure received suggests quality bc care include assessments physicianpatient communication