Satisfaction of ostomy patients

INTRODUCTION: This study looks at the degree of satisfaction colostomy patients feel in regards to their perception of the health care that they receive, whether they think that their physicians care could improve and the level of the medical staffs professional experience. METHOD AND MATERIAL: The study was performed in the Area Hospitalaria de Valme (Sevilla). With a population of 350,000 possible patients of which 215 have an ostomy, 55 of these took part in the study. 215 questionnaires were mailed to the ostomy patients with paid return mail enclosed. The survey was based on Lickerts attitude scale and had six items to respond to, using an evaluation of zero to five. This method is sufficiently valid and has been used in other studies such as project CORCH. RESULTS: First, averages were obtained for all items and variables. Second, a patient profile was obtained regarding sex and age. Third, a correlation of the three study variables was compared against variables of a global index of satisfaction. DISCUSSION: In contrast with the global index, the satisfaction of the patients in the study is very high (3.93 out of a possible 5). 45% of these patients perceive that the medical treatment that they receive could improve but that the professional experience of the medical staff is acceptable (62%).