A study on patients' choices over dental clinics and factors of complaint against medical service -focused on Seoul, Kyoungi, and Incheon areas

치과내원환자들의 의료기관 선택 및 의료서비스 불만요인에 관한 연구 - 서울, 경기, 인천지역을 중심으로 -

In order to provide basic information to help dental medical service with supplying gratifying service for patients. the survey is conducted on the patients who frequently visited dental clinics located in the areas such as Seoul, Kyoungi, and Incheon from May of 2006 to June. The survey results are as following : 1. Judged from the factors to make patients choose one dental clinic over another. the low cost of treatment accounts for 32.8%. and followed by physician's academic background / career experiences with 20.5%. In case of recommending to their acquaintances, physician's proficiency in treatment is ranked high as 56.7%. 2. For most desirable facilities for dental hospitals. the results indicate that cutting-edge medical equipment holds 46.7% and followed by a comfortable waiting room with 32.8%. 3. Examined the questions of what patients are most satisfied with dental clinics. 43.1% of respondents point out kind and detailed explanation. 14.1% also responds to constant care after the treatment. This result suggests that after-care and detailed explanation also play an important role in dental care as well as the treatment itself. 4. For desirable services in the waiting room. 28.5% of the respondents choose a selection of magazines and newspaper and 18.7% say that they want to converse with the staff. As to how long can wait with patience. 38.2% of the participants agree on as long as 20 minutes. 5. Among unsatisfactory sources against dental clinics while visiting, the high cost of the treatment is scored high as 34.1% and followed by a long waiting time with 22.1%. The figure points to the fact that dental medical clinics should consider these two factors to solve in the future. In case where patients find the treatment discontent and they are asked what to do, 36.4% of the respondents respond that they go to a different hospital without saying anything. As to the enquiry about how the complains should be dealt, 46.% wishes that the matter should be taken care immediately upon complaining, 21.8% suggests that they like to feel understood and acceptable when presenting complaints.