The purpose of this study was to design and distribute a patient satisfaction survey that identifies the needs of the patients of Big Horn Basin Orthopedic Clinic, P.C. Therapy Center in Powell, Wyoming (Clinic). The survey gathered information in 4 areas related to patient satisfaction: overall satisfaction, patient-therapist interactions, clinic operations, and billing procedures. During the summer of 2000, 150 surveys were sent out to discharged patients of the Clinic and 75 were returned. The mean scores for all of the questions on the survey scored near the high end of the scale. The questions related to clinic operations had the highest mean score while the billing questions had the lowest mean score. The data from this study was compared to the results of different patient satisfaction studies. It was found that the results from this study were consistent with other studies in physical therapy settings. However, patient satisfaction ratings from this study were much higher when compared to nonphysical therapy settings. Patient satisfaction remains an important indicator of quality in health care. As health care providers become more knowledgeable concerning patient expectations, corrections can be made in the health care delivery process to ensure satisfaction for everyone
