[What did the consumers get out of the examination at a clinic of occupational medicine?].

In order to evaluate the function of a department of occupational medicine regarding consumer satisfaction, a mailed questionnaire was sent to 605 patients examined at the Department of Occupational Medicine, Aalborg Sygehus, during the period 01.10.1988-31.12.1989. A similar questionnaire was sent to the persons referring the patients to the department. Seventy-three percent of the patients and 76% of the persons referring patients participated in the investigation. Of the patients 44% had their expectations fulfilled, of the persons referring 78%. Half of the patients and 69% of the persons referring found the advice given relevant in relation to the health problem. Satisfaction among patients was related to whether the patients expected to start a compensation case or suffered from a chronic disease for which treatment was difficult. There was a difference between the expectations of the patients and persons referring the patients examination.