Orthopedic patients' satisfaction with their health care plan: a study performed by the Research and Education Committee of the Texas Orthopaedic Association
Brinker, M.R.; Elliott, M.N.; Murray, R.W.; Tovar, A.K.
American Journal of Orthopedics 28(8): 451-6; Discussion 456-7
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 1078-4519 PMID: 10470670 Document Number: 508736
To determine the satisfaction of orthopedic patients in regards to their health care plan, a four-page questionnaire was designed, pilot tested, and sent to 200 orthopedic surgeons randomly selected from members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Texas. Fifty-seven orthopedic surgeons were not eligible to participate; our eligible cohort was 143 orthopedic surgeons. These surgeons were asked to administer the questionnaire to 20 randomly selected patients. Fifty-six of the 143 orthopedic surgeons participated, and surveys were completed by 939 patients. Patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with their health insurance, access to primary care physicians, and access to orthopedic surgeons. Although satisfaction was generally high, the patients with a gate-keeper (no direct access to specialists) were significantly less satisfied with their access to primary care physicians and orthopedic surgeons than those without a gatekeeper.