Patient satisfaction with outpatient hysteroscopy performed by nurse hysteroscopists

Objective

To investigate the effect of the introduction of nurse hysteroscopists on patient satisfaction at an outpatient hysteroscopy clinic in the United Kingdom.

Methods

Satisfaction with outpatient hysteroscopy performed in a University Teaching Hospital was measured using an anonymous structured questionnaire in 2000 and 2005. The unpaired t test, Mann-Whitney U test, or ^χ2 test was used depending on the level of measurement.

Results

A total of 102 women surveyed in 2005 were compared with 139 women surveyed in 2000. Age, ethnicity, perceived health status, previous satisfaction with outpatient appointments, and expectations of the appointment did not differ between the groups. Waiting time for an appointment and once at the clinic fell during the study period (P < 0.001); satisfaction increased with the former (P < 0.001), but not the latter (P = 0.25). Satisfaction with the professional skills of healthcare providers and overall satisfaction was 95% or greater in both years.

Conclusion

High levels of patient satisfaction with outpatient hysteroscopy were maintained after the introduction of nurse hysteroscopists.