"It's much easier than going to the dentist" : high levels of satisfaction in a mammography screening program

Objectives: To develop a suitable instrument for measuring client satisfaction in the BreastScreen New South Wales (NSW) program and to use the instrument to measure client satisfaction. Method: The survey was designed and administered to 2,091 women who attended mammography screening in the BreastScreen NSW program during 2001 (85% response rate). The survey evaluated experiences of making appointments, the screening environment, the screening procedure, and the receipt of results. Socio-demographic differentials in client satisfaction were examined using logistic regression models. Results: The majority of women were highly satisfied with their experience, with transport/parking, breast discomfort and time to results causing the most dissatisfaction (8-9%). The main source of dissatisfaction was during the appointment and related to discomfort during the mammogram (9%) and breast problems following the mammogram (9%). Predictors of dissatisfaction with screening (p<0.05) included high education level (OR=1.4), non-Australian born (OR=1.4), and aged 40-49 years (OR=1.6). Conclusions: Although overall satisfaction was high, the survey indicated service functions where improvements could be made. Implications: This research has developed an appropriate tool for assessing and monitoring client satisfaction with breast screening services.