Objective: To review the doctor-patient relationship and the patients level of general satisfaction by their physicians with medical care provided. Patients and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. We interviewed 64 patients hospitalized in the internal medicine wards of the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza in March of 2003. The level of general satisfaction of the patients with respect to the doctors behaviour was recorded. The clinical and demographic variables were: Age, sex, level of education, socioeconomic status, employment, duration of hospital stay, period of illness greater than a year, number of previous hospitalizations in the last 5 years, doctor in training identified as responsible for the patient and the number of patients he/she was assigned to. Results: The average age of the patients was of 42 years, 56% women, 34% completed primary education, 67% in the E socioeconomic status and, 88% viewed the intern as being their principal caregiver. The level of general satisfaction was 82.8%, with lower levels of satisfaction for the abilities of communication with the patient (73%), the respect for the patients autonomy (31%), the ability to consider the patients values and perspective (21%) and psychosocial aspects (18%). Conclusion: The level of general satisfaction is similar to that found in other countries, revealing the necessity of reinforcing: communication skills, respect for the perspective values and the autonomy of patients, and psychosocial aspects in the medical curriculum: To review the doctor-patient relationship and the patients level of general satisfaction by their physicians with medical care provided. Patients and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. We interviewed 64 patients hospitalized in the internal medicine wards of the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza in March of 2003. The level of general satisfaction of the patients with respect to the doctors behaviour was recorded. The clinical and demographic variables were: Age, sex, level of education, socioeconomic status, employment, duration of hospital stay, period of illness greater than a year, number of previous hospitalizations in the last 5 years, doctor in training identified as responsible for the patient and the number of patients he/she was assigned to. Results: The average age of the patients was of 42 years, 56% women, 34% completed primary education, 67% in the E socioeconomic status and, 88% viewed the intern as being their principal caregiver. The level of general satisfaction was 82.8%, with lower levels of satisfaction for the abilities of communication with the patient (73%), the respect for the patients autonomy (31%), the ability to consider the patients values and perspective (21%) and psychosocial aspects (18%). Conclusion: The level of general satisfaction is similar to that found in other countries, revealing the necessity of reinforcing: communication skills, respect for the perspective values and the autonomy of patients, and psychosocial aspects in the medical curriculum. (Rev Med Hered 2003; 14: 175-180 ).
Objetivo: Revisar la relación médico paciente y conocer el nivel de satisfacción general de los pacientes hospitalizados con respecto a los médicos. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se encuestó a 64 pacientes hospitalizados en las salas de medicina interna del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza en marzo de 2003. Se valoraron los niveles de satisfacción general de los pacientes con respecto a los médicos y su comportamiento. Se consignaron las variables clínicas y demográficas: edad, sexo, nivel educativo, nivel socioeconómico, empleo, estancia hospitalaria, tiempo de enfermedad mayor a un año, número de hospitalizaciones previas en los últimos 5 años, médico en entrenamiento identificado como su médico encargado y número de pacientes a su cargo. Resultados: La edad de los pacientes en promedio fue de 42 años, 56% fueron mujeres, 34% con educación primaria, 67% en el nivel socioeconómico E, 88% veía al interno como el médico en formación más próximo a él. El nivel de satisfacción general fue 82.8%, con niveles de satisfacción menores para las habilidades de comunicación con el paciente 73%, el ejercicio de la autonomía 31%, la consideración de la perspectiva del paciente y sus valores 21% y los aspectos psicosociales 18%. Conclusión: El nivel de satisfacción general es similar al evaluado en otros países, siendo necesario reforzar en los médicos en entrenamiento: las habilidades de la comunicación, el ejercicio de la autonomía de los pacientes, la valoración de la perspectiva del paciente y los aspectos psicosociales. (Rev Med Hered 2003;14: 175-180).
