The Satisfaction Levels of Heart Transplant Recipients Seeking Posttransplant Medical Care at a Tertiary Care Government Hospital: A Questionnaire-Based Study

Background: India is a country of approximately 1.35 billion people. Heart transplant surgery is resource intensive requiring extensive efforts both on the part of the patient and the treating physician. This study was designed to assess the satisfaction level of heart transplant recipients seeking post transplant medical care at our hospital. Methods: Twenty heart transplant recipients who are in our follow up participated in this study anonymously. The quality of medical care was evaluated by using Long Form Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire III (RAND Healthcare, CA). Results: All the grouped items - general satisfaction (82.4%), technical competence (82.4%), interpersonal aspects (79.1%), communication (84%), financial aspects (76.7%), time spent with the doctor (84%) and access to care (77.3%) had similar satisfaction levels. The aspects of “communication” and “time spent with the doctor” had maximum satisfaction levels at 84%. Conclusion: The average satisfaction level of heart transplant recipients for the medical care they receive at AIIMS, New Delhi (as evaluated by the help of long form patient satisfaction questionnaire III) was 80%.