Personality characteristics of health care satisfaction survey non‐respondents

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Abstract
Purpose: Patient satisfaction surveys are increasingly used to assess the quality of health care delivery. Unfortunately, survey non‐response may compromise generalizability (and inferential value). Although prior studies demonstrate an association between patient socio‐demographic variables and response rate, relatively little information is available linking personality factors to non‐response. This paper's purpose is to define outpatient satisfaction survey non‐responder personality characteristics.Design/methodology/approach: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles of patients who completed an outpatient satisfaction survey were compared with non‐responder profiles. Multivariate analysis was used to adjust for demographic and personality covariates. The study sample included 1,862 medical outpatients who were sent a satisfaction survey and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory results on record at this institution. Of these, 1,255 were survey responders and 607 were non‐responders.Findings: Scores on three Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scales were significantly correlated with non‐response: higher scores on scales 4 – Psychopathic deviate (Pd) and 8 – Schizophrenia (Sc) predicted an increased likelihood of non‐response (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; p≤0.05 for both), and higher scores on 7 – Psychasthenia (Pt) were associated with a decreased likelihood of non‐response (OR, 0.98; p≤0.01).Originality/value: Prior investigations demonstrate an association between patient socio‐demographic factors and survey non‐response. This paper uniquely highlights patient personality characteristics' contribution to non‐response. This information is an important consideration for patient satisfaction survey design, administration and interpretation.