Patient Satisfaction with Nurse Practitioner Care on Guam

Abstract

Patient satisfaction has been identified as an indicator of quality care. There is no research on patient satisfaction with Nurse Practitioner (NP) care on Guam. Therefore, a cross sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess patient satisfaction with NP care at three primary care clinics on Guam. A convenience sample of patients 18 years and older, seen by an NP were invited to participate in completing the Nurse Practitioner Satisfaction Survey (NPSS). Data collection concluded after a one-month period (N = 108). Descriptive statistics, between group differences, and correlational analyses were conducted. Participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymity, confidentiality, and privacy were ensured. General patient satisfaction was very high for NP care on Guam. "My NP is caring" was the highest scoring item on the NPSS with a mean score of 4.43 (n=56). Participants selected the NP as providing the health education and care the patient found most satisfying. A statistically significant weak negative correlation between patient satisfaction and age and level of injury was found. Singles reported significantly higher patient satisfaction scores than widowers. Study limitations included the small sample size, convenience sampling, social desirability and selection bias. Caring is an essential tenet of NP care and patient satisfaction. Improving NP role clarity is vital to the continued success and growth of the NP profession. The value that NPs bring to primary care is substantiated by the high patient satisfaction levels consistently produced from studies across the globe. In order for NPs to significantly impact the primary care provider shortage all 50 states and the US territories must enact full practice authority (FPA).