BJA Advance Access originally published online on November 12, 2004
British Journal of Anaesthesia 2005 94(2):206-210; doi:10.1093/bja/aei024
© The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia 2004
Effect of timing on the response to postal questionnaires concerning satisfaction with anaesthesia care
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1 Department of Anaesthesiology, St Gallen Cantonal Hospital, CH-9007 St Gallen, Switzerland. 2 Empirical Consulting, Hauptstrasse 67.1, D-79211 Denzlingen, Germany. 3 Picker Institut, Ibelweg 18a, CH-6300 Zug, Switzerland
* Corresponding author. E-mail: detlef.saal{at}kssg.ch
Background. There is little information on the effect of time on the assessment by the patient of quality of anaesthesia care. This study compared the patient's assessment of anaesthesia care after three different periods of time following discharge from hospital.
Materials. Three groups of patients were assigned to receive a standardized, validated psychometric questionnaire either 1, 5, or 9 weeks after discharge from hospital. We measured response rate and the total mean problem score of six dimensions.
Results. Groups 1, 2, and 3 received 748, 743, and 723 questionnaires, respectively. The response rates including one reminder were 67.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 63.9–70.6%), 64.5% (CI 61.1–67.9%), and 58.9% (CI 55.5–62.4%), respectively (Group 1 vs Group 3, P<0.001, and Group 2 vs Group 3, P<0.05). The total mean problem scores were not significantly different with 17 (CI 1.4%), 17 (CI 1.4%), and 15% (CI 1.3%), respectively. In two out of six dimensions (‘Continuity of personal care by anaesthetist’ and ‘Nursing care in recovery room’) significantly less problems were reported after 9 weeks. The other dimensions of the questionnaire showed no consistent differences between groups.
Conclusions. The response rate is significantly lower at 9 weeks compared with 1 and 5 weeks after discharge. The total mean problem score remains unchanged but certain fields show fewer problems after 9 weeks compared with 1 and 5 weeks. Questionnaires on patient satisfaction with anaesthesia care should be sent within 5 weeks of discharge.
A preliminary account of our results was given in a published abstract at the Euroanaesthesia Congress at Lisbon on the 5–8 June, 2004.
Declaration of interest. The questionnaire used in this study has been supplied by the Picker Institut. It has been paid for by our funding as mentioned in the Acknowledgements.
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