Assessing patient satisfaction with a microsuction service in general practice: a comparative study

BACKGROUND: In the UK, about 2.3 million people each year require intervention for wax impaction, while otitis externa accounts for just over 1% of general practice consultations. Aural microsuction of debris from the ear canal is a commonly performed procedure within the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) outpatient clinic. This article examines the patient acceptability of an aural microsuction service delivered in general practice. AIM: To determine patient satisfaction following the introduction of a new microsuction service in general practice compared with a hospital-delivered service. DESIGN & SETTING: This is a prospective comparative study in two rural general practices in Ireland and the emergency department (ED) of the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH), Dublin. METHOD: A 3-month period of data collection on usual care of 56 patients in general practice was followed by a 3-month period of GP-intervention data collection on 67 patients. Comparative data were collected on 37 patients who attended the RVEEH for the same intervention procedure. Patients completed a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ-18). RESULTS: Both general practice groups scored significantly higher in all seven aspects of medical care than the RVEEH cohort. Patients in the GP-intervention group scored significantly higher in terms of satisfaction with procedure technique compared with the usual care GP group. CONCLUSION: The provision of microsuction as a service in general practice confers as much or more patient satisfaction as the provision of the service in a hospital setting.