Relationship between Physicians’ Moral Sensitivity and Patients’
Satisfaction: A Survey in Educational Hospitals in Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the present study is to assess interactions
between the moral sensitivity of physicians and satisfaction of
patients. Materials and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional
research performed on physicians and patients in Tehran, Iran. The
physicians were selected through census method, and patients were
selected using quota sampling for equally selecting each physician from
each work shift. Data were collected through a standard questionnaire of
the physicians’ moral sensitivity for decision-making and a
researcher-made patient satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed
by the SPSS software version 23. Ethical Considerations: The study
received ethical approval by Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti
University of Medical Sciences. After explaining the objectives of the
study, all participants completed and signed the written consent form.
Results: The mean score for physicians’ moral sensitivity was 91.6±0.63
(out of 100) which shows a high level of moral sensitivity. The highest
scores were related to the domain of “honesty and benevolence” and the
lowest score was related to the domain of “The level of career
knowledge”. The average patient satisfaction was 61.97±3.55 out of the
total score (23-115) which shows a moderate level of satisfaction with
the highest scores in the domain of “professionalism” and the lowest
scores were related to the domain of “Technical Quality of Care”.
According to the results, physician moral sensitivity and patient
satisfaction are correlated (r= 0.611). Conclusion: Regarding the
observed relationship between physicians’ moral sensitivity and
patients’ satisfaction, it is suggested that improving patient
satisfaction, adopting appropriate strategies like performing periodic
evaluation of this phenomenon and providing some codified training in
this regard are required to increase the level of moral sensitivity of
physicians and provide high-quality care