Determinants of patient satisfaction during flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy

Abstract

Background
Patient satisfaction has emerged as a crucial measure of healthcare quality and is increasingly recognized as a critical outcome in procedural medicine. In the context of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB), satisfaction is a multidimensional term that is impacted by a complex interaction of variables relevant to the patient, the procedure, and the healthcare practitioner. Identification of these predictors is essential, as higher satisfaction levels are associated with better patient cooperation, improved procedural tolerance, and higher adherence to future medicinal recommendations.


Aim
To assess the satisfaction level and elucidate the variables that influence patients’ satisfaction related to flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy.


Methods
Prospective single-center cross-sectional study incorporating 75 patients with a mean ± SD of their age of 58.9 ± 6.9 years, and was carried-out in the interventional pulmonology unit of the Chest Department at Zagazig University Hospitals for 6months from February to August 2025. Twelve questions about current health, satisfaction with the various components of the FFB, anxiety before and after the FFB, side effects, and a willingness to repeat it if needed were all filled out by all patients.


Results
54 patients (72%) were reported as highly satisfied (very good/good satisfied patients), while 21 patients (28%) were reported as less satisfied (fair/poor satisfied patients). We reported statistically significant differences among highly and less satisfied patients as regards all items of the questionnaire except nursing care, final information after FFB, and FFB’s side effect. Also, FFB’s duration, forceps biopsy, nasal numbness, and choking sensation were significantly different between the two groups. After applying multivariate regression analysis, we found that procedure duration and pre-procedure anxiety were predictors of patients’ satisfaction.


Conclusion
Our study concluded that patients’ satisfaction was associated with their willingness to repeat FFB. Longer duration of the procedure and pre-procedure anxiety were independently associated with patients’ less satisfaction.