Curing and caring in surgical services: a relationship approach

The purpose of this study is to describe and analyse the quality of a professional surgical service process, and to reveal the main elements that constitute excellence in the experience of the surgical service of a private hospital. First, a theoretical framework for the surgical service process is created. Second, empirical research is conducted through a mail survey of surgical patients in a private hospital. A total of 240 questionnaires were delivered and the response rate was 83 per cent. Third, the underlying quality dimensions in the surgical service process are constructed using factor analysis. Finally, the main elements of excellence in a surgical service experience are revealed by utilising discriminant analysis. Empirical results indicate that, in private surgical services, the surgical procedure itself is the single most important element, but that it must be supplemented by quality dimensions in both output and process throughout the whole surgical service process.