The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to measure patient satisfaction with nurse practitioner (NP) service in a rural setting. Patient satisfaction is one method that can be used to determine the quality of service provided to patients. Patient expectations, demographic characteristics, patient characteristics, and the patient's perception of actual service received all contribute to the level of patient satisfaction with NP service.
Research was conducted at four rural primary care satellite clinics; two in Southcentral Minnesota and two in northcentral Iowa. The convenience sample consisted of93 patients who completed the Nurse Practitioner Satisfaction Instrument (NPSI), an instrument developed by the researcher. Content validity for the NPSI was addressed through literature review and written input from 15 subjects and four NPs. The NPSI was found to have high internal consistency with an alpha coefficient of 0.91.
Findings suggested a high level of patient satisfaction with NP service in the sample studied (mean Total Satisfaction Score was 56.05 out of a possible score range of 12-60). Significant relationships (p < .05) were identified between patient satisfaction and the subject's age, educational level, familiarity with the NP seen, overall health, satisfaction with expectations of service being met, likelihood to recommend the NP to others, and NP educational background. Implications of this study include the need to share results with legislators, and to continually evaluate and improve NP service.
The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to measure patient satisfaction with nurse practitioner (NP) service in a rural setting. Patient satisfaction is one method that can be used to determine the quality of service provided to patients. Patient expectations, demographic characteristics, patient characteristics, and the patient's perception of actual service received all contribute to the level of patient satisfaction with NP service.
Research was conducted at four rural primary care satellite clinics; two in Southcentral Minnesota and two in northcentral Iowa. The convenience sample consisted of93 patients who completed the Nurse Practitioner Satisfaction Instrument (NPSI), an instrument developed by the researcher. Content validity for the NPSI was addressed through literature review and written input from 15 subjects and four NPs. The NPSI was found to have high internal consistency with an alpha coefficient of 0.91.
Findings suggested a high level of patient satisfaction with NP service in the sample studied (mean Total Satisfaction Score was 56.05 out of a possible score range of 12-60). Significant relationships (p < .05) were identified between patient satisfaction and the subject's age, educational level, familiarity with the NP seen, overall health, satisfaction with expectations of service being met, likelihood to recommend the NP to others, and NP educational background. Implications of this study include the need to share results with legislators, and to continually evaluate and improve NP service.
The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to measure patient satisfaction with nurse practitioner (NP) service in a rural setting. Patient satisfaction is one method that can be used to determine the quality of service provided to patients. Patient expectations, demographic characteristics, patient characteristics, and the patient's perception of actual service received all contribute to the level of patient satisfaction with NP service.
Research was conducted at four rural primary care satellite clinics; two in Southcentral Minnesota and two in northcentral Iowa. The convenience sample consisted of93 patients who completed the Nurse Practitioner Satisfaction Instrument (NPSI), an instrument developed by the researcher. Content validity for the NPSI was addressed through literature review and written input from 15 subjects and four NPs. The NPSI was found to have high internal consistency with an alpha coefficient of 0.91.
Findings suggested a high level of patient satisfaction with NP service in the sample studied (mean Total Satisfaction Score was 56.05 out of a possible score range of 12-60). Significant relationships (p < .05) were identified between patient satisfaction and the subject's age, educational level, familiarity with the NP seen, overall health, satisfaction with expectations of service being met, likelihood to recommend the NP to others, and NP educational background. Implications of this study include the need to share results with legislators, and to continually evaluate and improve NP service.