Evaluating Patient Satisfaction of Nurse Practitioner Care in the Hospital Setting: A Qualitative Pilot Study

Aim: The purpose of this study is to develop a tool and assess patient satisfaction with inpatient Nurse Practitioner (NP) care.Design: A 10 item questionnaire was administered to hospital inpatients cared for directly by one of two NP’s.Methods: Patients were given a point of care tablet to answer the survey questions with yes or no. The primary outcomes measured were satisfaction with the hospital NP in quality of care, effective communication, and discharge planning.Results: A total of 19 patients participated in this study. 100% of patients felt that nurse practitioners communicated the plan of care effectively, clearly communicated medication information, answered all questions effectively, and knew what to expect when they went home. Between 80-89.5% of patients understood their discharge goals, what they may need after discharge, and understood what signs and symptoms to look for after discharge. Only 36% reported that they had a primary care provider appointment upon discharge.Conclusions: Results of the questionnaire showed a high level of satisfaction with NP care and identified specific discharge barriers among these hospitalized patients. Determining patient satisfaction with NP care can help direct important performance and improvement activities for healthcare institutions.