OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify dominant themes from patient-written, web-based reviews of dentists and investigate how these themes are related to patient satisfaction with dental treatment.
METHODS: The study data consisted of 11,764 reviews written by dental patients, which included 1- to 5-star ratings on overall satisfaction and free-text comments. The free-text comments were analyzed using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software, and the meaning extraction method was used to group words into thematic categories. These themes were used as variables in a multilevel logistic regression analysis to predict patient satisfaction.
RESULTS: Eight themes emerged from the analyses, of which 6 (75%)-explanation (odds ratio [OR] 2.56, 95% CI 2.16-3.04; P<.001), assurance (OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.57-5.06; P<.001), performance assessment (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.84-2.55; P<.001), professional advice (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.55-2.13; P<.001), facilities (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.08-2.91; P=.02), and recommendation (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.12-1.53; P<.001)-increased the odds of high patient satisfaction. The remaining themes (2/8, 25%)-consequences of treatment need (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.20-0.29; P<.001) and patient-centered care (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.52-0.74; P<.001)-reduced the odds of high patient satisfaction.
CONCLUSIONS: The meaning extraction method is an interesting approach to explore patients\' written accounts of encounters with dental health professionals. The experiences described by patients provide insight into key elements related to patient satisfaction that can be used in the education of dental health professionals and to improve the provision of dental health services.
目的:本研究旨在从患者撰写的论文中找出主要主题,基于网络的牙医评论,并调查这些主题如何与患者对牙科治疗的满意度相关。
方法:研究数据包括由牙科患者撰写的11,764篇评论,其中包括1至5星的总体满意度和自由文本评论。使用语言查询和单词计数软件对自由文本评论进行分析,并采用词义提取法将词分为主题类。这些主题被用作多水平逻辑回归分析中的变量来预测患者满意度。
结果:分析产生了八个主题,其中6(75%)-解释(比值比[OR]2.56,95%CI2.16-3.04;P<.001),保证(OR3.61,95%CI2.57-5.06;P<.001),绩效评估(OR2.17,95%CI1.84-2.55;P<.001),专业建议(OR1.81,95%CI1.55-2.13;P<.001),设施(OR1.78,95%CI1.08-2.91;P=.02),和建议(OR1.31,95%CI1.12-1.53;P<.001)-增加了患者满意度高的几率。其余主题(2/8,25%)-治疗需要的后果(OR0.24,95%CI0.20-0.29;P<.001)和以患者为中心的护理(OR0.62,95%CI0.52-0.74;P<.001)-降低了患者满意度高的几率。
结论:含义提取方法是一种有趣的方法,用于探索患者与牙科保健专业人员相遇的书面陈述。患者描述的经验提供了与患者满意度相关的关键要素的见解,这些要素可用于牙科保健专业人员的教育并改善牙科保健服务的提供。