Patient satisfaction surveys can be useful tools for quality improvement, but don't expect your patients to be 100 percent satisfied. According to data gathered by the American Medical Group Association from 20 multispecialty groups, 47 percent of patients rate family practice visits excellent overall. That may not sound like a passing grade, but it does offer a reasonable benchmark. The highest ratings for family physicians were for their personal manner and skills; the lowest marks were related to waiting time.

Percentage of patients rating aspects of their visits as excellent

Source: Hoechst Marion Roussel. Managed Care Digest Series: Medical Group Practice Digest; 1997.