Does doctors behaviour affect patient satisfaction?
This statement must seem so obviously true. But is there any evidence for it? Lilly, 2023 looked at which doctor behaviours are found useful by patients, and improve their experience.
Why is this important?
Patient satisfaction with their doctor is an essential component of healthcare, affecting health outcomes. This study looked into whether doctor behaviour acts as drivers for patient satisfaction; and determines the importance of these behaviours between different age groups.
What did the study show?
Survey data were gathered from two samples, one comprising younger adults at a mid-size Midwestern university (n=100) and one comprising older adults from a national market research survey panel provider (n=187). Subjects were asked to rate their satisfaction with their doctors from 0-100 and rate the importance of 21 doctor behaviours from 1-5.
Results identified three beneficial doctor behaviours (excluding their opinion of their expertise): being not rushed, good at long-term relationship, and fun).
Results also support the existence of age-related patient satisfaction drivers. Unique satisfaction drivers among younger patients include: not rushing the interaction, being fun, conveying a caring demeanor, and protecting patient privacy.
Conversely, unique satisfaction drivers among older patients include: listening, conveying friendliness, building long-term relationships, and seeking patient input.
The study’s results align with prior research findings that behaviours traditionally classified as ‘soft skills’ (like smiling and active listening) are important attributes when considering patient satisfaction.
How does this affect you?
This study looked into whether doctors behaviour affects your satisfaction? Yes.
So, as a patient, it is good to ‘look for’ the ‘type’ of doctor that suits you. This may be different at different stages of your life. If they do not show the behaviours that you need, tell them – and if they don’t change approach, considering asking to move to the care of another doctor.
Other resource
Different patients – different approaches
Does patient satisfaction affect outcome? (Chen, 2018)
Last Reviewed on 17 March 2024