An evaluation of patient attitudes to the gastroenterology outpatient experience.

Objective: To determine patient attitudes in gastroenterology outpatient care, including the preferences and expectations associated with satisfaction, waiting times and quality in the consultation.

Methods: A service evaluation of patient care in outpatient gastroenterology clinics was carried out using a composite, dedicated self-completed questionnaire; this included demographics, preconsultation and postconsultation Likert scale attitudes to process, interactive and environmental factors and a 16-point ranking questionnaire of domains of the patient pathway considered important to obtaining satisfaction.

Results: Two hundred and twenty-seven patients agreed to participate.