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Patient satisfaction and our clinical experience with 459 microfocused ultrasound treatments
Author(s) -
Chang Yunyoung C.,
Croix Jennifer,
Javvaji Srimanasi,
Hernandez Shan,
Chapas Anne M.,
MacGregor Jennifer
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.23058
Subject(s) - patient satisfaction , medicine , gratitude , patient experience , ultrasound , physical therapy , surgery , psychology , health care , social psychology , economics , radiology , economic growth
Purpose Microfocused ultrasound (MFUS) is a safe and effective method for noninvasive skin tightening. Previous clinical studies demonstrate a 60–100% patient satisfaction after MFUS. We used an anonymous online platform after MFUS to assess patient satisfaction. Design Patients treated with MFUS between January 2013 and 2016 were invited to complete an anonymous online survey at least 4 months post‐treatment. Patients were asked to rate improvement in skin tightening as none (0%), mild (0–25%), moderate (26–50%), significant (51–75%), or dramatic (76–100%) and treatment satisfaction as disappointed, neutral, satisfied, or extremely satisfied. Summary Between January 2013 and 2016, 253 patients received 459 MFUS treatments at our center. A total of 83 surveys were received with data. Nearly 80% of responders reported at least mild improvement, with 14.5% indicating significant improvement, 27.7% indicating moderate, 37.3% indicating mild, and 20.5% indicating none. In addition, 53.1% of responders reported being satisfied or extremely satisfied with the results. 44.6% of responders did not feel treatment results met expectations. Conclusion Patient satisfaction with elective cosmetic procedures is an important indicator of success. Our current study demonstrates a high response rate, with almost 80% of responders indicating at least mild tightening with MFUS treatment. Interestingly, only 53.1% of patients reported satisfaction after treatment, a lower satisfaction rate than reported in previous non‐anonymous studies and lower than patients report in our office follow‐up appointments. This discrepancy may be due to gratitude bias. Anonymous surveys likely provide a more accurate assessment of patients’ perceptions and will improve physician's future counseling efforts. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:495–499, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.