Endocrine Abstracts

Background: In order to support patients with lifelong chronic illness, such as pituitary disorders, it is a challenge to continuously offer high quality of care.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine how patients with pituitary disorders of different causes perceive quality of care in contact with a specialized endocrinology reception.

Methods and materials: Randomly selected, patients with chronic pituitary disorders (n=100) were asked to participate. Seventy-seven patients (females, n=44), 22–82 years of age responded and participated in the study. The questionnaire Quality from the Patient’s Perspective (QPP; modified short version) was used to measure patient’s perception of quality of care (considered from four dimensions: physical- technical, medical-technical, identity- orientation and socio-cultural atmosphere). Each question was calculated using an action index of each investigated area. Impaired quality of care in specific dimensions above 15% indicates need of improvement. In addition two open-ended questions were asked.

Results: Most of the respondents, 97%, expressed that necessary physical-technical equipment was available while in the medical-technical dimension 26% reported impaired quality of care. In the identity-orientation dimension, impaired quality of care was reported by 25% mainly due to non-participation in care- and treatment decisions as well as concerning information about results of treatments and self-care activities. In the socio-cultural dimension impaired quality of care was reported in 25%. In addition, the patients asked for extended telephone receptions at the clinic and improved information about pituitary disorders.

Conclusion: The patients were satisfied with the technical part of the medical care, but less satisfied with participation in care decisions and information about self-care. In our setting improvements are needed regarding patient information and access to care.

Comments/keywords: Keywords: pituitary disorders, quality of care, participation, patient satisfaction.