The role of patient satisfaction in methadone treatment.

BACKGROUND

Patient satisfaction surveys, widely used in health care delivery systems, may provide useful data for improving patient retention and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the relationship between methadone patients' treatment satisfaction at three months post-admission and their 3-month treatment outcomes and 12-month treatment retention.

METHODS

New methadone treatment admissions (N = 283) were assessed at 3 months post-admission for satisfaction with their counselors and programs. Correlations examined the relationship between 3-month satisfaction and Addiction Severity Index (ASI) scores. Regression analysis assessed the relationship between satisfaction and drug testing at 3 months and was used to predict whether participants were retained in treatment at 12 months.

RESULTS

Participants who were more satisfied with their counselors and programs had lower Drug and Legal ASI composite scores at 3 months. Participants who were more satisfied with their programs remained in treatment for at least 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment programs should consider administering the CEF to their patients at 3 months post-admission to identify patients with low satisfaction scores who may be at risk for prematurely leaving treatment.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Measuring patient satisfaction during treatment may help programs meet patients' needs and improve retention.