Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

A sample of 72 patients attending the rheumatological back pain clinic of a district general hospital were interviewed at home, before their visit, about their expectations of the clinic. They also completed a Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. Fifty of the patients were recontacted by mail 3 months after their first clinic attendance and asked to complete the Back Pain Disability Questionnaire together with satisfaction questionnaires. Patients' reports, both with regard to expectations and satisfaction, particularly emphasized the importance of communication. One-third of the follow-up sample rated their clinic attendance as unhelpful, and although such views correlated with lack of improvement in pain and disability, other factors are involved in patients' evaluations. Significant correlations were obtained between subjective outcomes and health locus of control, social class and previous hospital treatment. Patient satisfaction may be a valuable measure of outcome in assessing the efficacy of back pain treatment.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Int Disabil Stud

Publication Date

1987

Volume

9

Pages

161 - 165

Keywords

Adult, Attitude to Health, Back Pain, Consumer Behavior, Disability Evaluation, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Middle Aged