Should formalities be less formal? A comparative study of patient preferences on formalities and accommodation choices from 1999 to 2023.

Abstract

Purpose: To explore if patients' preferences regarding formalities and inpatient accommodation during their inpatient hospital experience have changed since 1999.

Methods: A ten-item survey was administered to an inpatient sample in an urban teaching hospital and compared with results from a similar survey in 1999.

Results: The majority (98.1%; n = 211) of patients in 2023 preferred to be addressed by their first name (73.8%; n = 152 in 1999; p < 0.001). Patient's preference for doctors using their full title fell (72.3% in 1999 versus 36.7% in 2023; p < 0.001). Inpatients in 2023 tended to have no preference regarding their doctor's gender (91.6% versus 80.1% in 1999; p = 0.001) and age (87.0% versus 40.8% in 1999; p < 0.001). Half (52.7%) of inpatients aged above 65 years preferred multi-occupancy wards when compared with those aged below 65 years (32.0%; p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Inpatients prefer less formal interactions within the doctor-patient relationship. Multi-occupancy ward accommodation is favored among those above 65 years.