Information and its impact on satisfaction among surgical patients

This study investigates the association between patient characteristics, reported problems with obtaining information and global evaluations of care among surgical patients. Using data from a large scale study of hospital care, a factor analysis of 30 information-relevant items was conducted with data from a sample of 3602 surgical patients; and correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify the relationships among information, patient characteristics and global evaluations of care. Path analysis was also used to determine the extent to which perceived control mediates the information–evaluation relationship. Four information factors were identified: surgical information, recovery information, general information and sensory information, and each was significantly related to global evaluations. Desire for involvement interacted with information received in determining patients’ evaluations; and partial support was found for perceived control as a mediator of the information–evaluation link. The data indicate that the relationship between information and evaluations of quality is generalizable across patients, conditions and hospitals; and should be defined more broadly to include that which is given by a variety of providers, to family, and about medications and home recovery. Desire for involvement and perceived control must also be considered in understanding the value and impact of information.