Factors that determine satisfaction with surgical treatment of low-income women with breast cancer.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between patient satisfaction with surgical treatment and 4 consultation skills and processes of the surgeons (time spent, listens carefully, explains concepts in a way the patient can understand, and shows respect for what the patient has to say), controlling for a range of patient, surgeon, and treatment characteristics.
Design: Cross-sectional survey.
Setting: The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program for the state of California.
Patients: A statewide sample of 789 low-income women who received treatment for breast cancer from February 1, 2003, through September 31, 2005.
Main Outcome Measure: Satisfaction with surgical treatment.
Results: Three of every 4 women reported being extremely satisfied with the treatment they received from their surgeon. African American women and those with arm swelling were less likely to be satisfied, whereas those reporting that the surgeon always spent enough time and explained concepts in a way they could understand were more likely to report greater satisfaction.
Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of 2 relatively simple behaviors that surgeons can easily implement to increase patient satisfaction, which can be of potential benefit in the litigious world of today.