Measuring patient satisfaction with pulsed dye laser treatment of vascular lesions

Before their first appointment at a pulsed dye laser clinic, 76 patients with a variety of vascular abnormalities completed a pretreatment assessment pack containing personal and demographic questions and the SF-36 Health Questionnaire, a self-report instrument for assessment of health status. These patients continued to receive laser treatment at approximately 3-monthly intervals. At 3 months and again at 6 months after their initial visit, the patients were sent postal follow-up packs containing the SF-36 Questionnaire and questions requesting information on: (a) opinions of the treatment itself; (b) the result in terms of clearance of coloration and (c) effect of treatment result on everyday life. The response rate to the follow-up questionnaire was 71% at 3 months and 60% at 6 months. Of the eight dimensions of health measured by the SF-36 Health Questionnaire, only mental health was found to be significantly improved at 6 months after initiation of treatment, and this improvement was dependent on gender, pertaining only to women. Information gained from the patients' perceptions of their treatment showed that opinions of the service delivery and advice and information offered were good. Overall, at the 6 month follow-up period, 83% of responders were satisfied with the treatment result, and the majority were pleased with its effect on their everyday life.