RESUMO
In a time where technology has taken on a cult following and where impersonal relations prevail, and where meeting goals in which performance is measured in number of patients who have access to medical care are more pressing than ever, we present a study of the patients evaluation as to the quality of attention that they receive in a public specialized service, both from the accessibility to care and the place where this is done, as well as the human relationship with the doctor and the medical team. Based on easy to understand questions that were answered anonymously by 23 patients undergoing routine controls at the rheumatology unit of the San Juan de Dios Hospital, we found that medical hours of the specialty are currently insufficient and at least one third of the patients are unable to obtain an appointment through regular channels (SOME, Statistical Medical Orientation Service in its Spanish acronym), this includes the possibility to access radiological examinations, and medications given by the hospital. Nevertheless, an important approval rate between patients and the health team in general and the treating doctor in particular does stand out, even though little more than half of the patients consider that their illnesses have improved. This dissociation may be due to a good doctor/patient relationship, from which we can conclude that, in spite of dealing with usually chronic and limiting diseases, there is a degree of satisfaction derived from the help and service given.