COMMUNICATION IN THE HEALTHCARE RELATIONSHIP: SOME ASPECTS OF PATIENTS’ PERSPECTIVES IN THE CONTEXT OF PERCEIVED QUALITY OF CARE IN THE VERONA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN 2013

• Main Author: Valentina Mecchi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associazione Italiana Giovani Medici 2015-04-01
• Series: Euromediterranean Biomedical Journal
• Online Access: http://www.embj.org/images/ISSUE_2015/Mecchi_11.pdf

INTRODUCTION: Medical practice should be carried out in a sensible and respectful manner. This study aimed to assess the levels of patient satisfaction regarding the right to be informed, listened to and involved in care decisions, with the intention of contributing to the implementation of a better quality of care.. METHOD: Between October 7th and November 3rd 2013, anonymous questionnaires were distributed to hospitalized patients. RESULTS: 46.14% stated they had felt involved in decisions about their treatment, and 82.94% reported that they had been directly informed about their health or treatment to an appropriate extent. 85.13% of patients had felt they were being treated with respect and dignity at all times. DISCUSSION: Quality of communication between physicians and patients positively influences outcomes. Measuring the perceived quality of care, in AOUI Verona, triggered an increasing awareness of these issues, a drive for improvement, productive involvement in the project and the active participation of service users.