A group of surveyed patients reported similar satisfaction levels for primary care physicians and hospitalists, according to research published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Researchers conducted random telephone interviews with patients who were discharged from three Massachusetts hospitals from 2003-2009. Questionnaires included variables that measured physician care quality, physician behavior, pain management and communication. In total, researchers assessed 3,597 patient-hospitalist interactions and 4,698 patient-PCP interactions.
An analysis showed patient satisfaction scores for physician care quality were only slightly higher for PCPs than hospitalists. However, patient satisfaction ratings on behavior, pain levels and communication were equal between the two specialties.
Researchers conducted random telephone interviews with patients who were discharged from three Massachusetts hospitals from 2003-2009. Questionnaires included variables that measured physician care quality, physician behavior, pain management and communication. In total, researchers assessed 3,597 patient-hospitalist interactions and 4,698 patient-PCP interactions.
An analysis showed patient satisfaction scores for physician care quality were only slightly higher for PCPs than hospitalists. However, patient satisfaction ratings on behavior, pain levels and communication were equal between the two specialties.
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