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. 2022 Jan 24;15(1):5.
doi: 10.1186/s12245-022-00407-7.

Patient satisfaction, needs, and preferences concerning information dispensation at the emergency department: a cross-sectional observational study

Marank de Steenwinkel  1 , Juanita A Haagsma  2   3 , Esther C M van Berkel  2 , Lotte Rozema  2 , Pleunie P M Rood  2 , Marna G Bouwhuis  2
Affiliations

Patient satisfaction, needs, and preferences concerning information dispensation at the emergency department: a cross-sectional observational study

Marank de Steenwinkel et al. Int J Emerg Med. .

Abstract

Background: Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of emergency care quality and has been associated with information dispensation at the emergency department (ED). Optimal information dispensation could improve patient experience and expectations. Knowing what kind of information patients want to receive and the preferred way of information dispensation are essential to optimize information delivery at the ED. The purpose of this cross-sectional observational study was to evaluate patient satisfaction concerning information dispensation (including general, medical, and practical information), the need for additional information, and preferences with regard to the way of information dispensation at the ED of a teaching hospital in the Netherlands.

Results: Four hundred twenty-three patients (patients ≥ 18 years with Glasgow Coma Scale 15) were enrolled (response rate 79%). The median patient satisfaction score concerning the overall information dispensation at the ED was 7.5 on a rating scale 0-10. Shorter length of ED stay was associated with higher patient satisfaction in multivariate analysis (P < 0.001). The majority of respondents were satisfied regarding medical (n = 328; 78%) and general information (n = 233; 55%). Patients were less satisfied regarding practical information (n = 180; 43%). Respondents who indicated that they received general, medical and practical information were significantly more often satisfied compared to patients who did not receive this information (P < 0.001). Two thirds (n = 260; 62%) requested more general information. Half of the respondents (n = 202; 48%) requested more practical information and a third (n = 152; 36%) requested more medical information. The preferred way for receiving information was orally (n = 189; 44.7%) or by leaflets (n = 108; 25.5%).

Conclusion: The majority of respondents were satisfied concerning information dispensation at the ED, especially regarding medical information. Respondents requested more general and practical information and preferred to receive the information orally or by leaflets.

Keywords: Emergency department; Information dispensation; Patient satisfaction; Waiting times.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

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Fig. 1
Patient enrollment
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Patient satisfaction concerning general, medical, and practical information dispensation. Patient satisfaction concerning waiting times, triage, general (e.g., logistics, costs), medical (e.g., medical procedures), and practical (e.g., Wi-Fi, food and drinks) information dispensation at the ED on a 5-point Likert scale. The results in each information dispensation group were subdivided into patients who indicated that they received information vs. patients who indicated that they did not receive information. * Missing data: waiting times n = 27, triage n = 24, general information n = 12, medical information n = 5, practical information n = 14. °Respondents who indicated that they received information concerning triage (P < 0.001), waiting times (P < 0.001), and general (P < 0.001), medical (P < 0.001), or practical information (P < 0.001) were significantly more satisfied compared to patients who did not received that information
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