OBJECTIVES- Despite its value, the use of patient satisfaction measures in evaluating the processes and outcomes of rehabilitative treatment services has lagged. The limited research can be attributed to the lack of a reliable tool specifically designed for inpatient/residential population. The study objectives were to: (1) conduct a systematic review evaluating patient satisfaction among patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorder, and (2) ascertain dimensions of patient satisfaction relevant to treatment, in preparation for development of an instrument.

METHODS- A systematic literature review was conducted utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search queried English-language articles from PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases through July 2018. The search strategy was devised using major sets of terms related to ‘substance abuse’ and ‘satisfaction’. Both quantitative and qualitative assessments of satisfaction in adults with drug/alcohol use disorders within inpatient/residential setting were included in the review. Review articles, grey literature, pediatric studies, and articles unrelated to the study objectives were excluded.

RESULTS- A total of 26 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Six (23.1%) utilized adapted versions of already developed valid satisfaction tools whereas 12 (46.2%) utilized novel assessments comprising self-completion questionnaires, client evaluation form/evaluations, perception questionnaires, and specific scales. Four (15.4%) studies employed a qualitative approach and a further four (15.4%) studies used an unspecified measure for satisfaction assessment. The most commonly reported dimensions included satisfaction related to the overall treatment process, counselor/support staff, counseling services, physical environment, provision of treatment information, and quality of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS- The review identified specific dimensions related to patient satisfaction. These dimensions are aimed to provide a better understanding of satisfaction relevant to substance use disorder and will be utilized in development of a novel measure for satisfaction assessment tailored for rehabilitative services.