Study: Attitude Trumps Approach in Boosting Patient Satisfaction with Meals

A study of hospital patient dining at the University of North Texas Health Science Center's School of Public Health has found that staff attitude has more correlation with positive patient satisfaction than whether meals are delivered in the traditional way at set times or by to-order room service. Conducted by Master of Health Administration student Martin Ostensen as part of a MHA internship project for the Office of Patient Centeredness at Baylor Scott and White Health in Dallas, the project compiled findings from a combination of research, hospital site visits and analysis.

The study concluded that food service workers who "genuinely interact" with patients, know their names, acknowledge their preferences and needs, and make patients feel important are key to driving positive hospital experiences.