Patient and Patient-Provider Interaction Factors Associated with Patient Satisfaction in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Background: Data suggests that patient satisfaction in complex diseases such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is associated with patient treatment compliance and ultimately quality of life. Using Press Ganey (PG) survey data, we sought to assess which non-modifiable patient factors and patient- provider interaction factors affect overall satisfaction with providers. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed PG scores from patients at the University of Pennsylvania between 2017 and 2019 at the time of a new diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. All patient responses to “likelihood of your recommending this care provider to others” (LTR) were stratified into two categories based on the presence of “top-box” (maximum possible) scores as the outcome variable. Chi-square and two-tailed t tests were performed as appropriate. Two-hundred sixty-seven patients with a mean age of 62.0 years (SD=14.0) were included. Overall, only 4.5% of patients were not maximally satisfied with their provider. Patients who were completely satisfied had more visits on average (5.0, SD=12.8) before diagnosis than those who were not (1.3, SD=1.4) (P<.001). Patient age, sex, race, sex concordance, and race concordance did not affect satisfaction with provider (p>0.05). Patient-provider interaction factors most associated with patient satisfaction based on difference in mean (MD) LTR scores by group with p<0.01 include time provider spent (MD -.95), extent to which provider had current information about care from specialists (MD -.89), and concern provider showed for questions/worries (MD -.81). Providers can use this information to guide implementation of interventions, such as early referrals to specialists, to improve/maintain patient satisfaction in CTCL.