Patient satisfaction and acute psychiatric inpatient treatment

Abstract

Background: Patient satisfaction (PS) with treatment is one of different outcome- and quality measures used by health care providers worldwide to improve service. We report from a study of patients admitted to the Department of Acute Psychiatry at the Oslo University Hospital where we investigated PS and difference between genders, days of hospital stay, diagnostic groups, voluntary—and involuntary admitted patients according to hospital records and perceived voluntary—and involuntary admittance.

Materials and methods: All admitted patients during a 9-month period in 2014 were asked to participate by written consent. We used The Psychiatric Inpatient Questionnaire (PIPEQ), a self-report survey validated for assessment post-discharge. Analyses were conducted for a general dimension of PS and individual questions. A user representative was a part of the study from the beginning.

Results: A total of 357 patients were asked and 256 consented. Results show that 68% were over all satisfied and 14% dissatisfied. Highest PS was found for cooperation with relatives and lowest for influence on choice of treatment and medication. We found no significant difference in PS between men and women, but patients with a personality disorder and with short stay were less satisfied. PS was significantly less for those perceiving involuntary admission regardless of legal status.

Conclusion: The PIPEQ gives important input of patient’s experience with the delivery of care. Answers range from very much satisfied to not at all depending on what was asked for. Exploring PS provides valuable information for quality improvements for different patient groups.

Keywords:

• Patient satisfaction
• acute psychiatry
• hospitalization
• involuntary admission
• perception

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the patients who answered the PIPEQ and a special thanks Kate Storm in preparing the figures.

Disclosure statement

The study was publicly funded and did not receive any financial or other support from the pharmaceutical industry. None of the authors declare any conflict of interest related to the present work.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ann Færden

Ann Færde, MD, PhD.

Brita Bølgen

Brita Bølgen, BA Crim.

Lars Løvhaug

Lars Læhaug, RN, PMH.

Christian Thoresen

Christian Thoresen, Cand Psychol, PhD.

Ingrid Dieset

Ingrid Dieset, MD, PhD