Patient satisfaction and quality of care at four diagnostic imaging procedures: mammography, double-contrast barium enema, abdominal ultrasonography and vaginal ultrasonography

The objective of this study was to measure patient satisfaction and to inve stigate the practical implications of monitoring the quality of care at fou r radiology procedures. A survey was conducted immediately after the examin ations in eight radiology departments: 550 patients attending for mammograp hy, 110 for double-contrast barium enema (DCBE), 97 for abdominal ultrasono graphy and 90 for vaginal ultrasonography. Outcome measures were seven ques tionnaire scales: pain, emotional distress, information received, staff's p unctuality and technical ability, facilities, and general satisfaction. Res ponse rate was : 87%. Multivariate regression analysis showed significant d ifferences between procedures on all scales (p < 0.001). Differences consid ered to be of practical importance, i.e. greater than or equal to 7 scale p oints, were detected on; five of the scales. Mammography and DCBE caused th e most pain, and vaginal US and DCBE caused the,mast distress. The US proce dures entailed dissatisfaction with information about the procedures. The D CBE patients recorded dissatisfaction with the staff's lack of punctuality, and these and the mammography patients recorded dissatisfaction with the f acilities. The findings indicate a potential for improving patients' experi ences. Several aspects of care, i.e. pain management, attention to the pati ent's emotional concerns, explanation of procedures, punctuality and qualit y of the facilities, can be improved.