This analysis sought to improve understanding of patient satisfaction regarding their relationships with the health care professionals (HCPs) who manage their migraine symptoms.

Patients’ level of satisfaction with their relationships with the HCPs who manage their migraine symptoms may be related to the types of communication they have with their HCPs. More information is needed about the specific aspects of HCP communication that relate to patient satisfaction.

Adults were recruited beginning in September 2021 from MyMigraineTeam, a social network hosted by MyHealthTeams for patients with migraine. Completion of data collection is anticipated by December 2021. Eligible participants were those who self-reported migraine and screened positive on the 3-item ID-Migraine™ questionnaire. Participants rated satisfaction with their relationship with their HCP on a 7-point scale.  Participants rated 8 aspects of communication with the HCPs who manage their migraine on a 5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree).

All 94 participants in this interim analysis (target: 250) reported severe migraine disability (mean Migraine Disability Assessment score of 126.9 [SD, 108.1]), were predominantly White and female (96%, each), with a mean age of 55.7 years (range, 21-77). When asked about overall satisfaction with their HCP-patient communications, 63% were very (44%) or somewhat (19%) satisfied. Patient satisfaction was significantly associated (P<.05) with HCP communication aspects assessed across 8 survey questions. For example, almost all patients very satisfied with their HCP strongly/somewhat strongly agreed that their HCP gave them time to talk during their appointment (98%) and clearly/thoroughly answered questions (95%). In contrast, only 29% of those very satisfied with their HCP strongly/somewhat agreed the HCP asked mostly yes, no, or short-response questions.

HCPs can improve patient satisfaction by actively listening and asking more open-ended questions. Future studies should explore the relationships among patient satisfaction, HCP communication aspects, and migraine treatment outcomes.