Satisfaction of health care professionals managing patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background and aims: The aim of the present study was to analyze the satisfaction of health care professionals who attend patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to determine the variables more related with satisfaction/dissatisfaction.

Methods: Cross-sectional, self-administered written 15-item questionnaire was evaluated using a Likert scale, completed by Spanish gastroenterologists and nurse practitioners specialized in IBD patient care.

Results: A total of 202 surveys, 133 physicians (65.8%) and 69 nurses (34.2%) were conducted. Global scoring of satisfaction was 54.0 for physicians and 64.2 for nurses (p<0.001). In both groups the highest scores were achieved in those items related to their professional careers and management of personal and professional lives as well as those that refer to their interdisciplinary relationship with other medical units, management of patients within the hospital setting and finally communication with the patient. The items that attained the lowest score included those related to the length and staff available for the medical consult, work environment and the balance among health care provider needs for contribution, recognition and fulfillment. With regard to the variables involved with satisfaction, the results show that those physicians that only took care of IBD patients achieved a higher degree of satisfaction. This could be related with the fulfillment of their own professional expectations.

Conclusions: The level of satisfaction of health care professionals that take care of IBD patients is low and may impact on patient care. Therefore, new strategies to increase the degree of satisfaction of IBD health care providers should be implemented.