PERCEPTIONS OF OUTCOME FOLLOWING ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY

The definition, evaluation and assurance of quality of health care are becoming increasingly important with health care moving into purchase r/provider mode, This questionnaire based study investigated patient s atisfaction and changes in their quality of life following joint ortho dontic/surgical treatment for the correction of facial deformity. Ques tionnaires were distributed to 83 pre-operative and a separate group o f 100 postoperative patients with data analysis involving comparison o f pre- and postoperative mood states and opinions about various aspect s of appearance and personality, The results indicated that the majori ty of respondents were happy with the outcome of treatment, There was significant improvement in appearance, as well as in self-confidence, overall mood states and the ability to mix socially. The majority of r espondents felt that the technical aspects of the operation had been w ell explained but almost a quarter felt that the effects following sur gery were badly explained, Pre-operative counselling, therefore, needs to be improved.