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Clinical science
Extended reports
Determinants of patient satisfaction with cataract surgery and length of time on the waiting list
  1. B L Conner-Spady1,*,
  2. S Sanmugasunderam2,
  3. P Courtright3,
  4. J J McGurran5,*,
  5. T W Noseworthy4,*,
  6. the Steering Committee of the Western Canada Waiting List Project
  1. 1University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  2. 2University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
  3. 3British Columbia Centre for Epidemiologic & International Ophthalmology
  4. 4University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  5. 5University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  1. Correspondence to: Mr J McGurran University of Calgary, Room 24, Heritage Medical Research Bldg, Community Health Sciences, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB Canada T2N 4N1; jjmcgtelusplanet.net

Abstract

Aims: To assess determinants of patient satisfaction with their waiting time (WT) and cataract surgery outcome.

Methods: A prospective cohort of consecutive patients waiting for cataract surgery were assessed by their ophthalmologist. Satisfaction, maximum acceptable waiting time (MAWT), urgency, visual function, visual acuity (VA), and health related quality of life (EQ-5D) were assessed using mailed questionnaires before surgery and 8–10 weeks after surgery. Ordinal logistic regression was used to build explanatory models.

Results: 166 patients (61.9% female, mean age 73.4 years) had a mean WT of 16 weeks. Patients whose actual WT was shorter than their MAWT had greater odds of being satisfied with their WT than those whose WT was longer (adjusted OR 3.86, 95% CI 1.38 to 10.74). Improvement in visual function (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.78 to 5.73), and VA (OR 4.27, 95% CI 1.70 to 10.68) significantly predicted satisfaction with surgery. Models were adjusted for age and sex.

Conclusion: Patient perspectives on MAWT and satisfaction with WT are important inputs to the process of determining WT standards for levels of patient priority. Patient expectation of WT may mediate satisfaction with actual WT.

  • HRQL, health related quality of life
  • MAWT, maximum acceptable waiting time
  • PCS, Priority Criteria Score
  • VA, visual acuity
  • VAS, visual analogue scale
  • VFA, Visual Function Assessment
  • WT, waiting time
  • patient satisfaction
  • waiting time
  • cataract surgery
  • priority setting
  • EQ-5D
  • HRQL, health related quality of life
  • MAWT, maximum acceptable waiting time
  • PCS, Priority Criteria Score
  • VA, visual acuity
  • VAS, visual analogue scale
  • VFA, Visual Function Assessment
  • WT, waiting time
  • patient satisfaction
  • waiting time
  • cataract surgery
  • priority setting
  • EQ-5D

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.2003.037721

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    Footnotes

    • ↵* B L Conner-Spady, T W Noseworthy, and J J McGurran are members of the Western Canada Waiting List Project

    • ↵Members of the Steering Committee of the Western Canada Waiting List Project: Dr Tom Noseworthy (Chair), Professor and Head, Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta; Dr Carolyn De Coster, Senior Researcher, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg Manitoba; Ms Lauren Donnelly, Executive Director, Acute and Emergency Services Branch, Saskatchewan Health, Regina, Saskatchewan; Ms Patricia Hosang, Executive Director, Urban Regional Support Services, Manitoba Health, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Dr Isra Levy, Director, Office of Public Health, Canadian Medical Association, Ottawa, Ontario; Ms Diane Lugsdin, Manager, Acute Care and Technology Unit, Health Services Division, Health Policy and Communications Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; Dr Barry Maber, Vice President, Physician, Saskatoon Health Region, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Mr John McGurran, Project Director, Western Canada Waiting List Project, and Lecturer, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario; Ms Kathleen Ness, Director, Clinical Performance, Information, Research, Capital Health, Edmonton, Alberta; Mr Darrell Thomson, Special Advisor to the Executive Director and Board, British Columbia Medical Association, Vancouver, British Columbia.