Frustrating Patient Visits

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study, part of a national mail survey of dentist malpractice liability claims, reports the reliability and validity of a new 22-item instrument measuring frustrating patient visits. METHODS: The items were subjected to factor analysis and subscales constructed. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Validity was assessed by comparing subscale scores to self-reports of satisfaction and liability claims. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed four subscales representing unpleasant feelings, lack of communication, compliance, and practice organization (alpha = 0.60-0.86). Compliance was the most important factor. Subscale scores were related to satisfaction with practice and the proportion of patient visits in the practice that were frustrating to the dentist. Dentists who reported frustrating patient visits as quite typical of their practices were more likely to have had a malpractice liability claim within the last five years. CONCLUSION: This instrument may be of value in detecting patient-dentist communication difficulties that are the precursor to liability claims.