PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE

Objective: To gather information on women's perceptions of the service s delivered in collaborative obstetrics and gynecology practices and t o determine whether patients perceive a difference in the delivery of services in a variety of practice settings. Methods: A cross-sectional patient satisfaction survey was developed by the Collaborative Practi ce Advisory Group of ACOG. Ten collaborative practices were selected t o participate: five in private offices, two in clinics, two in health maintenance organizations, and one in the military. Between April 15 a nd May 15, 1994, 3257 completed surveys were obtained for analysis. Re sults: Between 71% and 92% of women, depending upon the practice setti ng, agreed with statements regarding the possible benefits from being cared for in a collaborative practice. The majority (75-92%) expected services provided in a collaborative practice to differ from those pro vided in a noncollaborative practice. Women making their first visit t o a collaborative practice expected quicker appointments, more time wi th the provider, more health information, and more specific diet infor mation than did women who had previously been seen in such a practice. There were minimal differences in comfort levels when discussing issu es of sexuality and physical and sexual abuse in either public or priv ate settings with physicians or non-physicians. Conclusions: Patients in this survey were accepting of the concept of collaborative practice and felt that it offered quicker appointments, more time with the pro vider, more health information, and more specific diet information tha n did physician-only practices. (Copyright (C) 1996 by The American Co llege of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.)