Perception of Patient Care and Quality of Life in Orthopedic Surgeons: A United States Territory Analysis Case Report
Walker-Santiago, R.; Beaton-Comulada, D.; Ocasio, A.; Colon-Miranda, R.G.; Otero-Lopez, A.
Boletin de la Asociacion Medica de Puerto Rico 110(1): 29-35
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4849 Document Number: 703079
Background. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico(PR) is an unincorporated territory of the United States(USA). For years, many Orthopedic Surgeons have graduated from the only program in the Island and then taken their profession to the mainland. Question/Purposes. The aim of this study is to compare the perceived quality of patient care and physician quality of life in Orthopedic Surgeons in PR versus US. Patient and Methods. A total of 60 participants met our inclusion criteria. An electronically based questionnaire was developed based on previous validated surveys. The survey evaluated variables such as general demographics, time spent with patient, ability to meet patient's needs, practice location, working hours, and medical practice challenges. Results. A total of 33 participants completed our survey. In terms of perception of patient care, 73 % of participants reported that their practices are both effective and appropriate. The majority of participants (88%) considered their practices to be effective. When it comes to perception of quality of life, most participants reported equivalent working hours ranging from 51 to 60 hours per week. However, 63% of PR group participants consider having a reasonable amount of personal time, in contrast to 44% in the US group. This difference was not statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion. The perceived patient care and quality of life of this group of Orthopedic Surgeons can be defined by final location of practice even within the US territory. However, this difference was not significant. The US group showed higher perceived physician quality of life, with less weekly working hours, higher self-rated happiness and a lower degree of frustration. The PR group reported greater work flexibility but greater dissatisfaction in their place of practice. Clinical Relevance. Orthopedic Surgery residents can have a point of view of how the Orthopedic community feels regarding their practice location.
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