As a healthcare organization, it is critical to consistently rely on patient feedback to improve your organization’s quality of care and enhance patient satisfaction.
That all begins with a well-crafted healthcare survey as it is the perfect avenue for quickly gathering actionable insights from patients.
In this blog, our market research company explores the goals behind healthcare survey questions, share best practices for designing effective surveys, and provide 20 essential questions to include.
What Are The Goals Behind Health Survey Questions?
Patient surveys help healthcare providers understand and improve the patient experience.
The primary goals behind these questions often include:
- Enhancing Patient Satisfaction: Identifying what patients value most about their care and addressing any pain points.
- Improving Healthcare Delivery: Gaining insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of services.
- Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: Meeting requirements for patient-centered care, especially in value-based care models.
- Building Patient Loyalty: Creating a strong bond between patients and providers through demonstrated responsiveness to feedback.
- Identifying Gaps in Care: Uncovering areas where the patient experience could be improved.
Every survey question should serve at least one of these objectives to ensure meaningful and actionable results.
How We Approach Healthcare Survey Questions
At Drive Research, we design healthcare surveys that deliver actionable insights. Our proven methodologies focus on understanding your unique goals, ensuring clarity, and tailoring surveys for maximum impact. Here are some tips our healthcare market research company leverages when designing surveys for clients.
Keep in Mind Your Audience and Your Goals
Knowing your audience is critical when creating healthcare survey questions. For example, a survey targeting patients at a pediatric practice will differ significantly from one aimed at elderly patients.
We align questions with your goals, whether it's improving appointment scheduling, reducing wait times, or enhancing provider communication. Tailoring the survey ensures the insights you collect are relevant and useful.
Ask Clear Questions
Clarity is key. Avoid medical jargon or ambiguous phrasing that could confuse respondents. For example, instead of asking, “How do you rate the provider-patient rapport?” use, “How well did your provider explain your diagnosis or treatment plan?”
Use Different Question & response Types
Incorporating a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions, along with various response scales, enriches the data.
Examples include:
- Likert Scales: Measure levels of satisfaction or agreement.
- Multiple Choice: Allow patients to select specific options.
- Open-Ended: Capture detailed qualitative feedback.
A diverse range of question types keeps respondents engaged and provides a well-rounded view of patient sentiment.
Consider All The Touchpoints For Patients in Healthcare
Patient experiences span multiple touchpoints—from scheduling an appointment to follow-up care.
Your survey should address each stage of the patient journey, including:
- Scheduling and wait times.
- Interactions with staff and providers.
- Facility cleanliness and accessibility.
- Post-visit follow-up and communication.
This comprehensive approach ensures you capture insights across the entire continuum of care.
Recommended Reading: Patient Journey Market Research: Enhancing the Healthcare Experience
20 of the Best Healthcare Survey Questions You Should Ask
- How easy was it to schedule your appointment?
- Was the wait time before seeing your provider reasonable?
- How would you rate the professionalism of the front-desk staff?
- Did the provider explain your diagnosis and treatment plan clearly?
- Did you feel your concerns were listened to during your visit?
- How would you rate the cleanliness of the facility?
- Was the facility easy to access (e.g., parking, public transportation)?
- How satisfied are you with the communication from our staff?
- Were your questions or concerns addressed promptly?
- Did you feel comfortable discussing sensitive health information?
- How likely are you to recommend our practice to others?
- Were follow-up instructions clear and easy to understand?
- How would you rate your overall experience during your visit?
- Was your appointment scheduled at a convenient time?
- Were your medical records readily available to the provider?
- Did you experience any challenges with billing or insurance?
- How confident are you in the care provided by your healthcare team?
- Do you feel our facility prioritizes patient safety?
- What can we do to improve your experience?
- Is there anything else you would like us to know about your visit?
Why Drive Research is the Best For Your Healthcare Survey Needs
Drive Research specializes in designing and implementing healthcare surveys that deliver actionable insights.
Here’s why we are the ideal partner for your patient feedback initiatives:
- Customized Approach: We understand that no two healthcare organizations are alike. Our surveys are tailored to address your unique goals, challenges, and patient demographics.
- Expertise in Healthcare: With years of experience in the healthcare sector, we know what questions to ask and how to interpret the data for meaningful results.
- Advanced Analytics: Beyond data collection, we provide deep insights through advanced analytics, helping you uncover trends and prioritize improvements.
- Quick Turnaround: Time is critical in healthcare. Our efficient processes ensure you get results quickly, enabling you to act on patient feedback without delay.
- Data Privacy and Compliance: We prioritize patient confidentiality and adhere to all relevant regulations, ensuring your surveys are compliant with industry standards.
Partnering with Drive Research allows you to go beyond collecting data and start making impactful changes that improve patient experiences and organizational outcomes. Contact us today to receive a quote.
- Message us on our website
- Email us at [email protected]
- Call us at 888-725-DATA
- Text us at 315-303-2040
Emily Rodgers
A SUNY Cortland graduate, Emily has taken her passion for social and content marketing to Drive Research as the Senior Marketing Manager. She has earned certificates for both Google Analytics and Google AdWords.
Learn more about Emily, here.
