Posters

A PREM-based questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction with the cataract surgery care pathway at MEH

Poster Details

First Author: C.Nigam UK

Co Author(s): R. Holder   C. Khatri   G. Nikhita   M. Moosajee           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess the utility of a novel patient satisfaction questionnaire in a cataract surgery pathway.

Setting:

Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK

Methods:

Patients were recruited at their first cataract follow-up clinic visit to complete the anonymised questionnaire in a prospective closed loop audit cycle.  The questionnaire contained 16 items used to measure the percentage of patients satisfied with clinic visits, pre-operative assessment, day surgery, ward stay and discharge on the cataract care pathway. Responses were reported using 4 point Likert scales ranging from ‘Very Dissatisfied, to ‘Very Satisfied’ and dichotomous Yes/No answers. Results and recommendations from the initial audit were presented to staff involved in cataract care and key findings were also displayed in key clinical sites prior to re-audit.

Results:

A total of 205 patients completed the questionnaire in the full audit cycle. It was possible to quantify satisfaction levels with specific aspects of each patient encounter assessed on the cataract care pathway, which facilitated the improvement of services provided.  Post intervention, there was an increase in the percentage of patients reporting ‘Satisfied’ or ‘Very Satisfied’ with explanation of risks of surgery (97% vs. 93%), anaesthesia (99% vs. 92%) and with the stay on the ward (99% vs. 95%). Five percent more people reported satisfaction with discharge information (98% vs. 93%) compared to the initial audit.

Conclusions:

This questionnaire described here holds advantages over other tools for measuring patient satisfaction with services by incorporating evaluation of the entire cataract pathway and multi-disciplinary care as perceived by the patient. Its ease of administration, brevity and interpretability increase its usefulness in assessing patient satisfaction with services and improving care in eye departments.

Financial Disclosure:

None