Patient's Expectations and Satisfaction with their Treating Physician

The aim of this study was to determine the expectations of the patients and their satisfaction with their treating physician and health services. 375 outpatients from different day clinics of Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital were sampled by proportional sampling and the “Patients’ Request Form” which measured three different expecations(explantion, emotional support and investigation and treatment)was administered. A satisfaction questionnaire which addressed patients’ compliance to medical advices and their general level of satisfaction was also administered. The findings were then transferred to SPSS for further analysis. The results which were upon four hypothesis showed a significant difference among the expectations(emotional support and the investigation and treatment) of the patients of the different clinics. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between patients’ satisfaction and the fulfillment of “explanation” request. Also, a positive and significant relationship was found between satisfaction and adherence to medical prescriptions and change of the physician. In conclusion, physicians’ knowledge of the patients’ expectations and the factors affecting their satisfaction improve the patient-doctor relationship and the quality of health care which is the end goal of health system.