Patient anxiety levels in orthopedic outpatient clinics at hospitals with different patient population densities

Abstract

Background/Aim: Prolonged wait times for examination and delayed hospital appointment times can negatively affect patients. Increased anxiety in orthopedic outpatient clinic patients can disrupt diagnosis and treatment, and increase psychological tension in both patients and healthcare professionals. The aim of our study is to compare the anxiety levels of patients at institutions with different patient population densities. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study included 189 patients who voluntarily completed the Beck Anxiety Scale while registering for treatment of non-traumatic conditions at the orthopedics and traumatology outpatient clinics of two tertiary health care hospitals. Patients were grouped by hospital attended. The study assessed patients’ age, education level, estimated monthly income levels, and anxiety levels. Results: 99 patients from the public hospitals and 90 from the private hospitals participated in the survey. A significant positive correlation existed between educational status and income level (P<0.001). No significant difference in income level existed between the two groups (P=0.063), but the education level of patients in the private hospital group was significantly higher than in the public hospital group (P<0.001). The anxiety levels of the patients in the private hospital group was significantly higher (P=0.043); this difference was correlated to education level rather than income level. Patients with higher education levels demonstrated significantly higher anxiety levels (P<0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that the anxiety levels of patients who applied to the orthopedic outpatient clinics were independent of facility patient density and related primarily to patient attributes. Prospective studies are needed examining the relationship between patient anxiety levels and waiting time.