Satisfaction with medical care. It's easier to please patients than their family members and friends.

Abstract

The authors conducted a multi-site study to compare the level of satisfaction with medical care and services between patients and their family/friends. Hierarchical regression results controlling for patient age, gender, medical service performed, and other factors suggest that inpatients are more satisfied with the care rendered by physicians and nurses, as well as with their overall hospital stay, than are their family members and friends. The authors speculate about why this is so and what health care providers can do about it.