Problems associated with patient satisfaction surveys.

This paper is a partial review of the literature on the assessment of patient satisfaction and the problems associated with obtaining robust information. The difficulties encountered in this form of qualitative research are highlighted in 233 patients with venous leg ulcers. Patients attending a community-based leg ulcer clinic were compared with a similar group treated by the district nursing service. The study was part of a larger randomised controlled trial of the cost-effectiveness of community-based leg ulcer clinics, using four layer bandaging, compared with usual care at home provided by the district nursing service. Results showed that overall levels of satisfaction were high for both groups at three months.