The Impact of Primary Disease on Patient Satisfaction in Outpatient Care: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of health care quality, yet the impact of primary diseases on outpatient satisfaction remains underexplored. This study examined whether the primary disease independently influences patient satisfaction.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 8,259 outpatient experience records from clinics (n = 6,347), hospitals (n = 1,374), and tertiary hospitals (n = 538) using data from the 2023 Medical Service Experience Survey in Korea. The primary diseases for outpatient visit were categorized into 50 specific conditions grouped under 9 disease categories. Multivariate analyses were conducted, adjusting for demographic and health care-related factors.

Results: The primary disease was identified as an independent factor affecting satisfaction. Patients with cancer, particularly those with thyroid and breast cancer, reported the highest satisfaction, whereas patients with depression or bipolar disorder had the lowest. In addition, different diseases independently influenced satisfaction to varying degrees. Factors such as medical provider's manner (especially nurses) and facility convenience were also significantly associated with satisfaction.

Conclusions: Although the precise mechanisms remain unclear, the primary disease should be considered an important determinant of patient satisfaction. Future research should take into account the impact of specific diseases on patient satisfaction when designing studies or interpreting results.