Abstract
Objectives: To examine the influence of emergency department (ED) waiting time estimate provision on the satisfaction of patients.
Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between September 2017 and May 2018. It included 18 to 70 years old Arabic-speaking acute care patients. After being divided into 2 groups, the intervention group alone was provided waiting time estimates. Both groups answered 2 questionnaires evaluating their satisfaction and illness perception before and after seeing a doctor.
Results: One-hundred patients were included. No significant difference found in waiting time satisfaction scores between groups (intervention (5.92/10 +/- 3.13), control (5.45/10 +/- 3.38), p=0.476). Demographics and illness perception had an insignificant impact on satisfaction. Waiting time estimate was preferred by most participants (70%).
Conclusion: Providing waiting time estimation did not affect satisfaction but was preferred to have in the ED by most.