Predictors of patient satisfaction with Mohs micrographic surgery at time of surgery and 3 months postsurgery: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Despite the importance of patient satisfaction in ensuring high-quality care, studies investigating patient satisfaction in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) are limited.

Objective: We investigated the factors associated with patient satisfaction in MMS for nonmelanoma skin cancer and how patient satisfaction changes in the postoperative period.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study including 100 patients, patient satisfaction surveys were administered at the time of surgery and at 3 months postsurgery. Sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and surgical parameters were collected by chart review. Univariate linear and logistic regression models were created to examine these relationships.

Results: Decreased satisfaction was observed in patients requiring 3 or more MMS stages both at the time of surgery (P = .047) and at 3 months post-surgery (P = .0244). Patients with morning procedures ending after 1:00 pm had decreased satisfaction at the time of surgery (P = .019). A decrease in patient satisfaction between the time of surgery and 3 months postsurgery was observed in patients with surgical sites on the extremities (P = .036), larger preoperative lesion sizes (P = .012), and larger defect sizes (P = .033).

Limitations: Single-institution data, self-selection bias, and recall bias.

Conclusion: Patient satisfaction with MMS is impacted by numerous factors and remains dynamic over time.

Keywords: Mohs micrographic surgery; Mohs surgery; basal cell carcinoma; dermatologic surgery; high-value care; nonmelanoma skin cancer; patient satisfaction; postsurgical care; postsurgical satisfaction; quality of care; skin cancer; squamous cell carcinoma; wound care.