Surgeon Age, Years in Practice, and Location of Training Are Associated With Patient Satisfaction

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is associated with communication-related measures, empathy, and meeting expectations. However, it is not clear what surgeon characteristics are associated with patient satisfaction. As such, the purpose of this study was to investigate the surgeon sociodemographic, training, and practice parameters that may be associated with patient satisfaction.

Methods: A retrospective study of patient satisfaction scores was conducted from 7,856 patients who rated 62 orthopaedic surgeons in 2021 within a single hospital system. Three questions from the National Research Corporation survey were used to assess patient satisfaction. Bivariate analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. For chi-square analyses, patient satisfaction scores were recoded into either above the mean or below/equal to the mean score.

Results: Overall, 57 male (91.9%) and five female orthopaedic surgeons (8.1%) participated. Mean age was 49.3 ± 9.9 years. Median years in practice was 14 years (range, 1 to 38 years). More years in practice was associated with lower patient satisfaction scores for careful listening (P = 0.048), likelihood to recommend the provider (P = 0.021), and total score (P = 0.029). Older surgeon age was associated with lower total scores (P = 0.039). Surgeons with 30 or more years of practice were more likely to be recommended (P = 0.030). Surgeons who trained in the Northeast for fellowship and/or residency were more likely to be recommended. Older surgeon age and training in the Northeast were associated with higher patient satisfaction.

Conclusion: Older surgeon age and fellowship and/or residency training in the Northeast were associated with higher patient satisfaction, whereas 30 or more years of practice was associated with lower patient satisfaction. In bivariate analysis, female surgeons and foot and ankle training were associated with higher patient satisfaction, whereas spine surgeons had lower patient satisfaction scores. These findings suggest that patient-centered communication, patient-surgeon concordance, and appropriate help may improve patient satisfaction.

Level of evidence: Level IV.