Asking patients if they have any questions can help improve patient satisfaction with medical team communication in the emergency department.

backgroundIt is well known that patient satisfaction with medical communication in the emergency department (ED) improves patient experience. Investing in good communication practices is highly desirable in the emergency setting. In the literature, very few studies offer evidence of effective interventions to achieve this outcome. Aim of the study is to evaluate whether encouraging emergency physicians to ask if patients have questions at the end of the visit would improve patient satisfaction with medical communication.

methodsThe physicians of two EDs in Lugano, Switzerland, were invited by various methods (mailing, newsletter, memo pens and posters, coloured bracelets etc.) to implement the new practice of asking patients if they had questions before the end of the visit. Patients discharged were consecutively enrolled. Participants completed the modified CAT-T questionnaire rating their satisfaction with medical communication from 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent). Data such as age, means of arrival, seniority of the physician etc. were also collected. Statistical analysis was performed with Bayesian methodology. The results were compared with those of a similar study conducted one year earlier.

results517 patients returned the questionnaire. Overall, patients' satisfaction with communication in the ED was very good and improved from the previous year (percentage of fully satisfied patients: 68% vs. 57%). The result is statistically significant (C: I: 51.8 - 61.3% vs. 63.9 - 71.8% p = 0.000). Younger patients (< 30 ye22ars old) were slightly less satisfied. Waiting time did not affect perception of communication.

conclusionThis study implements a concrete way to improve patients' satisfaction with medical communication in the ED. The intervention targeted only one item of the CAT-T ("Encouraged me to ask questions") but it generated an overall perception of better communication from patients discharged from the ED. The study also confirms that there are some objective elements that can alter perception of quality of medical communication by patients (age, seniority of the physician), in agreement with the literature. In conclusion, focusing physicians' attention on asking patients whether they have questions before discharge helps improving overall patient satisfaction with medical communication in the ED. This may lead to changes in physicians' clinical practice.