Key findings of the New Zealand Health Survey
Summary
The patient experience report presents key findings from the continuous New Zealand Health Survey 2011/12 about New Zealanders’ experiences with health care services. The report presents information about patient experience with general practitioners, practice nurses, after-hours doctors, emergency department doctors and medical specialists. Information about continuity of care is also presented.
Key findings
Most people have a usual medical centre and usually see the same GP at their usual medical centre
- Almost all children (97%) and adults (93%) have a general practitioner (GP) clinic or medical centre that they usually go to when they are feeling unwell or are injured.
- Four out of five adults (82%) and three out of four children (75%) usually saw the same GP at their usual medical centre.
- Nine out of ten children (91%) go to the same GP clinic or medical centre as their parent or caregiver.
- Nine out of ten adults (91%) reported that the doctors or staff at their usual medical centre seemed informed or up to date about their care after their last visit to an emergency department (ED), public or private hospital or medical specialist.
Most people reported a positive patient experience with their GP
Half of all adults (49%) and 43 percent of children reported that they had visited a GP in the past three months. Among these:
- Most adults (84%) reported that they definitely had confidence and trust in their GP.
- Nine out of ten adults (93%) rated the quality of care they received from their GP as good or very good.
- Five out of six adults (84%) reported that their GP was good or very good at six aspects of patient experience and interpersonal care.
Most people reported a positive patient experience with the practice nurse they last saw
One in eight adults (13%) and one in ten children (10%) reported that they had visited a practice nurse (without seeing a GP at the same time) in the last three months. Among these:
- Nine out of ten adults (90%) and children (89%) reported that they definitely had confidence and trust in the practice nurse.
- Almost all adults and children (95%) rated the quality of care they received from the practice nurse as good or very good.
- Nine out of ten adults (90%) reported that the practice nurse was good or very good at six aspects of patient experience and interpersonal care.
Patient experience with after-hours doctors was lower than for other doctors
One in eight adults (13%) and one in five children (22%) reported that they had visited an after-hours doctor in the last 12 months. Among these:
- Three out of five adults (58%) and children (56%) reported that they definitely had confidence and trust in the after-hours doctor they saw at their last visit to an after-hours medical centre.
- Seven out of ten adults (69%) and children (72%) rated the quality of care they received from their after-hours doctor as good or very good.
Most people reported a positive patient experience with the ED doctor they last saw
One in seven (14%) adults and children reported that they had visited an ED in the last 12 months. Among these:
- Most adults (72%) and children (68%) reported that they definitely had confidence and trust in the ED doctor they last saw.
- Eight out of ten adults (83%) rated the quality of care they received from the ED as good or very good.
Most people reported a positive patient experience with the medical specialist they last saw
Nearly one in three (28%) adults and one in five (19%) children reported that they had seen a medical specialist in the last 12 months. Among these:
- Most adults (82%) and children (84%) reported that they definitely had confidence and trust in the medical specialist they saw.
- Nine out of ten adults (90%) and children (93%) rated the quality of care they received from the medical specialist as good or very good.
Most people were satisfied with the care provided by their usual medical centre
- Four out of five adults (80%) and children (78%) reported that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the care provided by their usual medical centre in the past 12 months.