Summary

Background:

Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare quality, influencing treatment adherence, clinical outcomes, and hospital reputation. The relationship between length of hospital stay (LOS) and patient satisfaction in neurological inpatients remains understudied, particularly regarding sex differences and neurological diagnosis types.

Objectives:

To understand how LOS influences satisfaction and patient experience. To evaluate care strategies and improve communication in neurological settings.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective observational study of 181 patients admitted to the neurology department at Sheba Medical Center between January 2023 and January 2025. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a standardized survey covering overall experience, communication with medical staff, and the discharge process. We used partial correlation analyses and multivariate ANOVA to explore associations of LOS, sex, diagnosis, and satisfaction.

Results:

A significant negative correlation was found between LOS and patient satisfaction (r = -0.19, P = 0.012), as well as with perceptions of competency (r = -0.22, P = 0.004), physician communication, and involvement in treatment decisions. Females reported lower satisfaction than males, particularly regarding hospitalization conditions, the discharge process, and staff communication. Diagnosis-specific differences also emerged, with females diagnosed with headache consistently reporting the lowest satisfaction ratings.

Conclusions:

Longer hospital stays were associated with lower patient satisfaction. Female sex and diagnosis of headaches influenced patient satisfaction the most. These findings highlight the need for improved communication and enhanced discharge planning to optimize patient satisfaction in neurological settings. Addressing these factors may contribute to more patient-centered care and better overall experiences for hospitalized neurological patients.