Patient satisfaction with radioiodine treatment and telephone follow-up for the management of thyrotoxicosis

• Published in: Patient preference and adherence Vol. 9; no. default; pp. 659 - 664
• Main Authors: Bashari, Waiel A, Coates, Rebecca L, Nazir, Shahbaz, Riddel, Naomi E, Lawanson, Oluwaseyi O, Mohamed, Ahmed M, Oyibo, Samson O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2015; Dove Press; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Diagnosis; informed consenting; Iodine; Isotopes; Original Research; Patient satisfaction; patient satisfaction survey; patient-centered service; service improvement; Surveys; Thyroid diseases; United States; patient satisfaction survey; service improvement; informed consenting; patient-centered service
• ISSN: 1177-889X; 1177-889X
• DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S83355

Patient satisfaction is of paramount importance when delivering a patient-centered service. Our hospital has been a center for the use of radioiodine to treat thyrotoxicosis for several years, but we began carrying out patient satisfaction surveys and implementing changes after 2008. The aim of the project reported here was to assess patient satisfaction with our radioiodine treatment and telephone follow-up service, and to compare results with our previous surveys. Anonymous patient satisfaction questionnaires were sent to all patients who received radioiodine treatment for thyrotoxicosis between January 2012 and December 2013. Patients were asked to answer four questions concerning informed consenting, treatment, and telephone follow-up using a four-point Likert scale, and post back the questionnaires. A suggestion box was included for comments and suggestions for improvement. A total of 56 questionnaires were posted out (to 44 females and 12 males) and 34 questionnaires were returned (60.8% response rate). Between 94% and 100% of the responders, depending on the question asked, were satisfied with the service they received. Patients also put useful comments and suggestions in the suggestion box provided. Patients with thyrotoxicosis were satisfied with our radioiodine treatment and telephone follow-up service. This survey has revealed areas for service improvement, and highlights the importance of patient satisfaction when assessing a patient-centered service.