Final answer:
The most effective method to measure patient satisfaction is by surveying patients about their overall experience, which provides direct and relevant data about the quality of care and services.
Step-by-step explanation:
To measure patient satisfaction using targeted outcomes measures, the most effective option is Surveying patients about their overall experience. This method is directly related to the patient's personal experience and provides robust data that can be analyzed for improvement. Examining the average time spent in the waiting room, while important, does not fully capture the overall patient satisfaction — it is merely one aspect of the experience. Evaluating the number of staff members or reviewing the facility's financial performance may influence satisfaction indirectly, but they do not directly measure patient satisfaction.
Similar to measuring job satisfaction, where questionnaires are frequently used to understand employees' satisfaction levels, patient satisfaction can also be evaluated through surveys. These surveys can use a Likert scale or various questions to pinpoint areas of success and areas needing improvement. By polling patients and asking about their experiences, healthcare providers can obtain data that reflects the perceived quality of care and services provided.