ABSTRACT
A survey of 300 adult orthopaedic patients was conducted on three different wards: Gratis, Emergency and Private. A 31-item questionnaire assessed patient's satisfaction with nursing physician and environmental factors. The results suggest no difference between male and female satisfaction. Patients on the Gratis and Emergency Wards tended to be consistently more dissatisfied than patients on the Private Ward. The major conclusion of the survey was that both nurses and physicians needed additional training in patient communication and patient teaching. Several specific environmental recommendations were made : to install a water tank for the private section, to offer dietary services to the Emergency Section, and to install call bells at the bedside