30+ Health Care Satisfaction Survey Questions: Templates & Tips

Patient Experience Survey

Why & When to Use

Conducted routinely, such as quarterly or annually, the Patient Experience Survey captures overall impressions of the care journey. It's ideal for benchmarking against national scores like the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS).

5 Sample Questions

1. "How would you rate the overall quality of care you received?"
2. "Did staff treat you with courtesy and respect?"
3. "How clearly were treatment options explained to you?"
4. "How confident are you in the skills of your primary care provider?"
5. "Would you recommend our facility to family or friends?"

The framing of patient satisfaction survey questions significantly influences responses, with negatively framed questions yielding lower satisfaction scores than positively framed ones. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Post-Appointment Feedback Survey

Why & When to Use

Sent within 24–48 hours of a visit, the Post-Appointment Feedback Survey captures fresh, encounter-specific feedback. It's essential for identifying real-time service recovery issues.

5 Sample Questions

1. "How long did you wait past your scheduled appointment time?"
2. "Were your concerns fully addressed during today’s visit?"
3. "Rate the cleanliness of the examination room."
4. "How satisfied are you with the discharge instructions provided?"
5. "What could we have done to improve today’s appointment?"

Hospital Facility & Environment Survey

Why & When to Use

Ideal after inpatient stays or outpatient procedures, the Hospital Facility & Environment Survey evaluates the physical environment. It informs capital improvement priorities.

5 Sample Questions

1. "How would you rate the comfort of your room or waiting area?"
2. "Was the hospital environment quiet at night?"
3. "How satisfied were you with dietary/meal services?"
4. "Did you feel safe and secure during your stay?"
5. "How clean were the bathrooms and common areas?"

Room cleanliness is the strongest environmental factor influencing patient satisfaction, with odds ratios ranging from 2.1 to 2.7 (p < .01). (journals.lww.com)

Telehealth Satisfaction Survey

Why & When to Use

Sent immediately after virtual visits, the Telehealth Satisfaction Survey evaluates technology and online bedside manner. It's key for refining digital health strategies.

5 Sample Questions

1. "How easy was it to log into your virtual visit?"
2. "Did the video/audio quality meet your expectations?"
3. "Did you feel the provider listened attentively via video?"
4. "How comfortable were you discussing personal health issues online?"
5. "Would you choose telehealth again for similar needs?"

Staff Communication & Empathy Survey

Why & When to Use

This survey measures soft skills and interpersonal dynamics, crucial for training programs. It can be standalone or integrated into broader surveys.

5 Sample Questions

1. "Did nurses explain medications in an understandable way?"
2. "How empathetic did the staff seem toward your situation?"
3. "Were language or cultural needs adequately accommodated?"
4. "How effectively did departments coordinate your care?"
5. "Did you feel involved in shared decision-making?"

Billing & Administrative Support Satisfaction Survey

Why & When to Use

Administered post-payment or after insurance claims, the Billing & Administrative Support Satisfaction Survey reduces churn over billing issues. It supports revenue-cycle optimization and transparency initiatives.

5 Sample Questions

1. "How clear were your billing statements?"
2. "Were your insurance benefits explained accurately?"
3. "How satisfied are you with the timeliness of claim processing?"
4. "Rate the courtesy of administrative staff."
5. "How easy was it to resolve a billing question or dispute?"

Best Practices: Dos & Don’ts for Crafting Health Care Satisfaction Surveys

Dos:

• Keep questions patient-friendly: Use simple, clear language to ensure understanding.
• Use Likert scales + one open-ended question: Quantitative data with room for qualitative insights.
• Pilot test: Test your survey to identify and fix issues before full deployment.
• Ensure HIPAA compliance: Protect patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Personalize invitation emails: Increase engagement by addressing patients by name.

Don’ts:

• Overload with medical jargon: Keep language accessible to all patients.
• Exceed 10 minutes: Long surveys can deter completion; keep it concise.
• Neglect anonymity assurances: Ensure patients feel safe to provide honest feedback.
• Ask double-barreled questions: Avoid questions that address multiple issues at once.
• Ignore data analysis plan: Have a clear strategy for interpreting and acting on feedback.

By following these best practices, you can design effective surveys that yield valuable insights, leading to improved patient satisfaction and care quality.