Doctor Satisfaction Research Articles

Student satisfaction with graduate supervision in doctoral programs primarily delivered in distance education settings

There are no universal, precise, or explicit criteria for completing a doctoral degree successfully. Researchers and practitioners have pointed out how difficult and time consuming the supervision of graduate student research can be. When students in doctoral programs complete their degrees via distance delivery, supervision of graduate students becomes even more difficult for both students and supervisors. The goal of the research was to investigate doctoral students' perceptions of supervision and to understand doctoral student satisfaction with graduate supervision where programs were delivered utilizing a variety of distance systems. Statistically significant differences in student responses were found based on gender. While students whose programs were primarily delivered online were moderately satisfied, students who were in the blended programs were more satisfied. Other differences were detected between online and blended doctoral supervision environments. Certainly, these media for supervision warrant further investigation as distance and blended doctoral programs increase.

Hospital Information Systems Replacement and Healthcare Quality

The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology for deciding when a Hospital Information System (HIS) must be replaced and in addition to discuss how the decision for system replacement affects the quality of healthcare services. In the hypothesis, the Hospital IS has been in operation for a period of time and the Hospital managers have to choose between the replacement with a new Information System (IS) and the continuation of its use. Leaving aside the economic factors concerning the return of a possible investment, the decision is still difficult and will be based on scientific and technological factors. The proposed methodology employs confidential information from the Hospital, which relates to the system operation and usability, the satisfaction of doctors and patients, etc. It also examines the entire working environment and common factors that affect the choice of Hospital managers (e.g., financial constraints).

Enhancing patient participation in oncology consultations: a best evidence synthesis of patient‐targeted interventions

Because of the complexity of cancer consultations, the contribution of patients is often limited. This systematic review examined the characteristics and effectiveness of patient-targeted interventions that aim to enhance cancer patients' participation in the consultation. Relevant studies were selected by a search of databases until mid-2010 (Pubmed, PsycINFO and CINAHL), citations in relevant reviews as well as backward/forward citations. A Best Evidence Synthesis was performed, taking into account the quality of studies. A total of 52 publications were included, describing 46 studies and 30 unique interventions. One-third was delivered through either written or multimedia material, two-thirds face to face. Most originated from English-speaking countries. Half targeted heterogeneous cancer populations, one-third targeted women with breast cancer. Half focussed on initial treatment-planning consultations. Overall, there was evidence for an effect on observed patient participation. There was no evidence for an effect on patient or doctor satisfaction and insufficient evidence for an effect on psychological well-being, physical well-being and consultation duration. The findings turned out to be largely independent of study quality. Effect of the interventions could only be demonstrated for immediate outcomes, that is, behaviour observed in the consultation. Implications for future research are discussed, including attention for gaps in the literature as well as the choice of outcome measures.

36 Which Psychological Factors Exacerbate Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Test of a Comprehensive Model

Background: It has been demonstrated that usual medical care for IBS emphasizes education and lifestyle modification more than drugs in the US (Whitehead et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2004). No studies have compared directly how IBS patients are managed in the US vs. other countries. Our aims were to compare the usual medical care for IBS in the US and Japan. Methods: 1762 patients in the US (73% of females) and 376 patients in Japan (50% of females) were recruited from primary care and GI clinics. They completed postal questionnaires within two weeks after a doctor visit at which they received a diagnosis of IBS. Questionnaires used in the Whitehead et al study were translated into Japanese and validated; they included the Rome II modular questions for IBS diagnosis, the IBS severity scale (IBS-SS), the IBS-QOL, ratings of confidence in their doctors (0 to 100) and satisfaction with treatment (0 to 100). They also reported which treatments their doctors recommended and whether they received education and reassurance about IBS. Results: IBS clinic patients in Japan (n=200) were younger (41±17 vs. 51±14 yrs) and more likely to be males (62% vs. 23%) compared to US patients (n=665). There was no difference in overall IBS severity (230±112 in Japan vs. 239±116 in the US), but Japanese patients had lower IBS-QOL (69±22, vs. 73±21, p=0.01). Diet and exercise recommendations were less frequent in Japan (Table), perhaps reflecting lower rates of obesity. Drug treatment of IBS was more aggressive in Japan, with significantly greater use of anxiolytics. Motility agents were prescribed to 71% of Japanese IBS patients but were not even on the formulary in the US clinics where this study was done. Japanese IBS patients were also more likely than US patients to receive education (97% vs. 56%, p<0.01) and reassurance (74% vs. 48%, p<0.01). Japanese patients reported greater confidence in their doctor's treatment recommendations (88±15 vs. 66±31, p<0.01) and greater satisfaction with treatment (73±20 vs. 65±26, p<0.01). Conclusions: IBS is treated more aggressively in Japan where the majority of IBS clinic patients are males, and Japanese patients are more satisfied with their treatment. [Supported by R01 DK31369] Treatment recommended by doctors for IBS symptoms

Investigation of outpatients' degree of satisfaction with the non-technical quality service based on JCI

Objective To investigate and analyze the outpatients' degree of satisfaction with the nontechnical quality service and provide the basis for improving service quality for outpatients.Methods Selfdesigned questionnaires were completed according to some ideas and requirements of Joint Commission International standard (JCI),to make the random questionnaire survey and analysis for the 1200 outpatients of triple A hospital (three levels of first-class hospitals) in Guangdong province from January to July,2011.Results Total of 1 083 questionnaires were withdrawn,and response rate of questionnaire items was 94.32％.Satisfaction of booking persons and doctors reached above 90％,including seven post staffs less than 90％.The highest satisfaction rate was 95.6％ of medical admissions and the lowest was 80.6％ of registration staff; waiting time of each process satisfaction degree was less than 80％,the lowest was 50.9％ in waiting medicine; pharmacist service was 94％,and 90.2％ of nursing service; Privacy protection of doctor was 95.3％ and privacy protection of inspection staff was 86.3％ ; environment facilities was 88.4％ and the health and safety was 71.2％ ; there were statistically significant differences in the attitude of different staff,inform service,privacy protection and service process (x2 =13 156.84,3 005.25,6 828.696,4 957.269,3 110.284,respectively; P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions The improvement suggestions should be put forward for the nontechnical quality service of which the satisfaction degree is low. Key words: Outpatient health services; Quality of health care; Joint Commission International standard (JCI) ; Satisfaction

Patient and Doctor Satisfaction in a New Cardiology Remote TeleHealth Service

Patient and Doctor Satisfaction in a New Cardiology Remote TeleHealth Service

A Study on Organisational Climate and its Impact on Job Satisfaction of Doctors in the Multi-Speciality Private Hospitals in Coimbatore

A Study on Organisational Climate and its Impact on Job Satisfaction of Doctors in the Multi-Speciality Private Hospitals in Coimbatore

Student perceptions of using a human patient simulator for basic cardiac assessment

Objectives To discern the level of satisfaction of Doctor of Pharmacy students after using a Human Patient Simulator (HPS) to develop cardiovascular assessment skills. Design A survey was developed and sent to all students who used the HPS for cardiac assessment. Student responses were anonymous and participation in the survey was voluntary. The survey design allowed students to describe initial expectations, reflections after use, and interest in future HPS use. Assessment Two-hundred seventy-seven students completed the survey. Student responses were overall positive, showing a high degree of satisfaction and increased confidence in performing cardiovascular assessment skills. Conclusions The integration of HPS into a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum is beneficial for enhanced learning and increased student confidence, and is extremely well received by students.

The study of the Quality of Life among Doctors in Three Level of First-class Hospitals and the Relationship between them

Objective To explore the quality of life among doctors in three level of first-class hospitals,and analyzing the influencing factors.Methods Simple random sampling were used in this study.258 doctors in three level of first-class hospitals from 4 differdent hospitals were investigeted by WHOQOL-BREF.Results The quality of life of the doctors was lower than the norm in phsical domain ( 14.14 ± 2.26/13.49 ± 2.24,P ＜ 0.05 ).The quality of life of the doctors was affect by job title,income and degree of satisfaction on their job.Conclusions The quality of life of the doctors is not so good.Inhance the degree of satisfaction and income of doctors could improve their quality of life. Key words: Quality of life; Doctor; Cross-sectional Study

Exceeding parents’ expectations in Ear–Nose–Throat outpatient facilities: The development and analysis of a questionnaire

The study attempts to develop an outpatient service quality scale by investigating the key dimensions which assess parental satisfaction and provides a recommendation on an improved health service delivery system. The survey was conducted in an Ear–Nose–Throat outpatient clinic of a Greek public pediatric hospital. A total of 127 parents in outpatient waiting areas were chosen; 74.8% of the sampled parents were under 40, and 78% were mothers. A factor analysis was performed; while a Fischer's exact test and multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted. All Cronbach's α exceeded 0.70 and all factor loadings exceeded 0.50. Twenty-three items were retained through the scale development process and seven factors were formed that appear to be statistically valid and clinically meaningful: access and convenience, doctor's attention, customization, reliability, assurance, satisfaction and loyalty. Findings were discussed in relation to parents’ overall satisfaction and intention of reusing and recommending outpatient clinic. Satisfaction was found to be positively affected by access and convenience and doctors’ attention. Staff attitude and the telephone procedure of scheduling the child's examination found positively correlated to the likelihood of recommending services to friends and relatives. Time and communication in the waiting room influenced parents’ satisfaction. Overall, results reveal the measures that need to be taken in order to improve outpatient service quality.

Growing discontent of Swiss doctors, 1998-2007

Work satisfaction of doctors is a useful indicator of the functioning of the health-care system. We documented the work satisfaction of doctors nine years apart, before and after the implementation of several health-care reforms (limitation of working hours for medical trainees, restrictions on new doctors' offices, new reimbursement fee schedule, greater administrative controls). Two surveys of all doctors working in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland (1998: 1146 respondents, 2007: 1546 respondents). The doctors filled in a 17-item questionnaire rating their satisfaction with different aspects of their professional life, each on a scale between 1 and 7. For each item, proportions of highly satisfied (scores 6-7) and highly dissatisfied (scores 1-2) doctors were compared over time. The proportion of doctors who were highly satisfied decreased significantly for 15 out of 17 items between 1998 and 2007. Meanwhile, 'time available for family, friends, or leisure' improved, and 'opportunity for continuing education' remained stable. Proportions of highly satisfied respondents decreased the most for 'enjoyment of work' (-17.2%), 'autonomy in treating your patients' (-15.8%), 'autonomy in referring patients to a specialist' (-14.0%), 'relations with patients' (-13.9%) and 'global satisfaction with current work situation' (-13.3%). The proportion of respondents who were highly dissatisfied (score 1-2) increased the most for 'administrative burden' (+8.9%) and 'social status and respect' (+5.0%). Doctors' satisfaction with most aspects of their professional lives has decreased sharply during the past decade. This trend may be linked, tentatively, with specific policy changes.

An analysis of the model with sustainable development for promotion of appropriate technologies in rural health

Objective To explore the promotion model with the sustainable development of appropriate technologies in rural health. Methods After a large-scale government-led, administrative intervention mode (Ⅰ mode) , the mode (Ⅱ mode) dominated by the third sector and participated in by the whole society was used in some counties, and Ⅲ model, an enterprise-led and market economy controlled mode was adopted in Tongliang County. Results The primary care doctor and patient satisfaction in the third sector participation mode, and the personal experiences of doctors in enterprise-led mode were evaluated as excellence. The differences of experience of both doctors and patients between the third sector-led and government-led were statistically significant (P<0.01) ; he third sector-led mode was better than government-led mode. Conclusion It needs to establish a long-term pattern with the government supervision and policy support, the third sector and business management, full community participation, and regulation of market economy rules for the sustainable promotion model of appropriate technologies in rural health. Key words: Appropriate technology of rural health; Promotion mode; Sustainable development; Third sector

Study of the standardized management in operation room with Da Vinci S system

Objective To study the experience of standardized management in operation room with Da Vinci S system. Methods From January 2007 to October 2010,we set up the standardized management rules for the staff and operation appliance. Results Through the rules being carried out, the satisfaction of the doctor was increased and the hospital infection was then controlled availability. Conclusions The standardized and integrated managements are important factors for the success of surgery. Key words: Robotic; Da Vinci S system; Operation room; Standardized management

Doctoral Student Satisfaction: An Examination of Disciplinary, Enrollment, and Institutional Differences

Previous research suggests that it is the department, not the graduate school that bears the greatest responsibility for doctoral students’ progress and success (Ehrenberg et al., Doctoral education and the faculty of the future (pp. 15–34). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2009) dictating the need to examine and understand how doctoral students experience their education at the department level. In the present study, we analyzed the NAGPS’ 2000 National Doctoral Program Survey (NDPS) data in an effort to understand the differences in the satisfaction levels of doctoral students (current, recent graduates, and former) across various academic disciplines (e.g. social sciences, humanities, engineering) and different institutional types (e.g. research extensive and research intensive). Employing both traditional (ANOVA) and item-level (Rasch Rating Scale Model) analyses we found that although overall satisfaction with doctoral experiences appears to be equivalent/similar across multiple disciplines, student satisfaction within disciplines varied significantly and consistently with respect to specific academic experiences.

Health care professionals' views on hospital pharmacist prescribing in the United Kingdom

Abstract The published evidence supports a multidisciplinary approach to drug therapy management. Pharmacist prescribing has already been introduced successfully in the United States, with good clinical outcome measures and high levels of doctor and patient satisfaction. In our study, questionnaires were sent to 195 doctors, 200 nurses and all 87 pharmacists working at five hospitals in Birmingham, to identify attitudes towards pharmacist-written prescriptions and pharmacist prescribing. The combined response rate was 57.5 per cent. Few doctors (4.3 per cent) and nurses (5.2 per cent) responding had any experience of prescriptions written by a pharmacist, but all of those with such experience agreed that they had found it helpful. Support for pharmacist-written prescriptions and pharmacist prescribing ranged from 43.6 per cent to 94 per cent, depending on the scenario described and the profession of the responder. Overall, a high proportion (78.7 per cent to 86.1 per cent) of doctors and nurses responding agreed that it would be useful if pharmacists were permitted to write prescriptions and prescribe drug treatment, though a majority believed that this should only include pharmacists with postgraduate education/training and routinely attached to the clinical area in question. Important issues identified as possible barriers to pharmacist prescribing in the UK include pharmacist willingness to accept this new role, education/training, familiarity with the patient, communication between health care professionals, professional and legal accountability and resource implications. If further training/education was made available for those who felt a need for it, 98.5 per cent of pharmacists stated that they would be happy to write prescriptions for existing therapy, and 95.5 per cent would also be happy to initiate/prescribe drug treatment. The future role of the hospital pharmacist in drug therapy management is explored. The perceived barriers to the introduction of pharmacist prescribing are not insurmountable. If tackled appropriately, the introduction of pharmacist-written prescriptions and pharmacist prescribing is likely to prove a valuable contribution to patient care.

The Relationship between Academic Support Systems and Intended Persistence in Doctoral Education

This study investigated the relationship of formal academic support systems and stage of doctoral study on persistence, satisfaction, and knowledge of resources, expectations, and customs in doctoral education. Doctoral students ( N = 141) enrolled in four public institutions in a southeastern state were surveyed. An online questionnaire, adapted from the 1999 Survey on Doctoral Education (Golde &amp; Dore, 2001), was used to survey participants. Approximately 94% of the participants self-reported intent to persist. The majority of the participants also indicated belonging to at least one support system within the doctoral program. Doctoral programs may consider offering several forms of support to improve doctoral student satisfaction and knowledge of resources while increasing persistence. Statistically significant correlations were found in student satisfaction with the advisor relationship and advisor practices. Based on these findings, doctoral programs also should give close attention to the relationship between the advisor and the student.

Effectiveness of Non-Ablative Three Dimensional (3D) Skin Rejuvenation: A Retrospective Study Involving 46 Patients

Three dimensional (3D) skin rejuvenation is proposed to be effective for all skin layers. The aim of this concept is to treat sun spots with broad-band pulse light; large pores, fine lines and vascular lesions with a long-pulsed 1064 nm neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser system and skin ptosis and laxity with a 1100-1800 nm infrared light source. In this study, 46 patients treated with the 3D skin rejuvenation procedure were retrospectively evaluated to assess the effectiveness of the 3D procedure according to both patient and doctor satisfaction. The 3D procedure was carried out over the course of five sessions with 15 day intervals between sessions. Results were judged by an experienced laser dermatologist both by direct patient examination and by comparison of "before" and "after" photographs. Results were ranked into five categories ranging from 0 to 4. At the final control, the patients were also asked to rate their satisfaction with the procedure in five categories, ranging from 0 to 4. All of our patients showed improvement, with an overall patient satisfaction score of 2.65. Female patients were more satisfied than male patients. Patient and doctor satisfaction scores were generally correlated. Our clinical results indicate that the 3D procedure is an effective nonsurgical skin rejuvenation method.

Chiari pelvic osteotomy in the treatment of adolescent hip disorders: possibilities, limitations and complications

Ninety-nine hips treated by the Chiari pelvic osteotomy were included in this study designed as a retrospective review. The group consisted of 36 male and 50 female patients, with mean age of 15.6 years. Each was diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) or avascular necrosis of the femoral head--Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCP)--and postreduction avascular necrosis (PAN). Five hip parameters (the acetabular angle of Sharp, the center-edge (CE) angle of Wiberg, the percentage of femoral head uncoverage, the acetabular depth ratio, and the Shenton-Menard arch continuity) were evaluated. Functional outcome was assessed according to Harris hip score (HHS) and McKay criteria for clinical evaluation. The postoperative results showed improvement in all the radiographic parameters. The angle of Sharp showed a decrease of 8.62º (p < 0.01). The CE angle of Wiberg showed an increase of 28.76º (p < 0.01), and the uncoverage of the femoral head showed a decrease of 51.51% (p < 0.01). The improvement of HHS was 11.93 (p < 0.05). The patients' satisfaction was indicated by grade 4.1 ± 0.94 and the doctor's satisfaction by grade 3.7 ± 1.16. The Chiari pelvic osteotomy, in spite of the development of biologically better procedures, has retained its position in the treatment of adolescent hip disorders.

Developing and Testing a Model of Burnout at Work and Turnover Intensions among Doctors in Pakistan

This paper examines the impact of burnout at work (BO), work life balance (WLB), work life conflict (WLC) andjob satisfaction (JS) on turnover intensions (TOI) among doctors in Pakistan. The research team developed aconceptual model to test the hypothesized relationships between the variables. Simple random sampling methodwas used to distribute 300 questionnaires among MBBS qualified doctors working in the private and public sectorhospitals in major cities of Pakistan, such as Peshawar, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. With a response rate of58.3%, 175 valid responses were received which comprised sample size of this study. The research team usedSPSS 15.0 and Amos 16.0 for data analysis and model testing. The study concludes that there is no significanteffect of burnout at work, work life balance and work life conflict on doctors’ turnover intentions. There is nosignificant affect of burnout at work on doctors’ work life balance whereas it has a significant effect on the worklife conflict and job satisfaction of doctors. Moreover, work life balance has no significant affect on jobsatisfaction of doctors whereas work life conflict does have a significant effect on job satisfaction of doctors.Lastly, job satisfaction has a significant effect on turnover intentions of doctors.

The effect of mutual evaluation by doctors and nurses on the medical and nursing activities and inpatients'satisfaction

Objective To standard the doctors'and nurses'activities, and raise the satisfaction of inpatients. Methods Questionnaire survey was carried out to survey the inpatients'satisfaction and the satisfaction of doctors and nurses to each other, the results were collected. After rectified by the director and head nurse, the inpatients'satisfaction was resurveyed one month later and the results were compared. Results The inpatients'satisfaction was increased after the rectification, and the difference was significant (P ＜0. 05) .Conclusions The mutual evaluation of doctors and nurses could standard the medical and nursing activities and increase the inpatients'satisfaction. Key words: Mutual evaluation; Doctors'and nurses'activities; Satisfaction