# Contributing factors for a satisfying orofacial pain patient journey: a mixed-methods study

## TL;DR

This study explores the patient journey of individuals with orofacial pain and identifies factors that contribute to satisfaction and the number of healthcare providers visited.

## Contribution

The study introduces a mixed-methods approach to identify personal and systemic factors influencing patient satisfaction and healthcare provider visits for orofacial pain.

## Key findings

- Patient satisfaction is associated with readiness to change and internal locus of control.
- The number of healthcare providers visited is linked to illness perception and chance-related locus of control.
- Clear communication and feeling taken seriously are key to a satisfactory patient journey.

## Abstract

Background: Due to the many different underlying disorders causing
orofacial pain, management of orofacial pain is a challenge. Many patients seek
help from different healthcare providers during their patient journey. The
primary aim of this study was to describe the physical and emotional patient
journey of patients with orofacial pain. The secondary aim was to determine which
personal factors may have contributed to number of healthcare providers visited
and patient journey satisfaction. Methods: For this, a concurrent
triangulation mixed methods design was used. Patients 18 years or older with
orofacial pain who visited the Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction (OPD) clinic of the
Academic Centre of Dentistry Amsterdam were recruited. Participants filled out
questionnaires regarding their patient journey, locus of control, readiness to
change, catastrophizing, illness perception, and kinesiophobia. A linear
regression analysis was performed to determine which factors were associated with
the number of healthcare providers visited and the patient journey satisfaction.
A subsample of participants was invited to an additional in-depth interview about
their patient journey experiences. Results: A total of 102 participants
visited an average of 2.7 healthcare providers before their visit to the OPD
clinic. There was an association between patient satisfaction and readiness to
change as well as internal locus of control, and between the number of healthcare
providers visited and readiness to change, as well as illness perception and
chance-related locus of control. Themes related to a satisfactory patient journey
included clear communication, feeling taken seriously, and thinking along with
the patient. Non-helpful factors were long wait times, financial factors,
perceived lack of knowledge of the healthcare providers, and feeling helpless.
Conclusions: The journey of patients with orofacial pain is complex, and
the patient satisfaction could be improved by improving the efficiency and clear
communication to patients.