Values and Preferences of Korean Patients With Facial Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Survey

초록

Background: Facial palsy is a debilitating condition that can lead to significant functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial impairments. Thus, this study aimed to systematically explore treatment preferences and values among Korean patients with facial palsy and develop clinically applicable recommendations to enhance patient-centered care. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted between June and July 2025 at a facial palsy clinic in a secondary referral hospital. A total of 51 patients with peripheral facial palsy completed a structured 21-item survey addressing preferences related to assessment and diagnosis, treatment modalities, multidisciplinary care, communication, information sources, and recovery concerns. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha (α). Results: Participants (mean age 43.1 ± 12.4 years; 68.6% female) prioritized objective assessment methods and accurate prognostic information, favoring standardized tools and electrophysiological testing. Regarding treatment preferences, 82.4% supported active steroid therapy and 74.5% preferred combined steroid–antiviral treatment. Surgery was generally viewed as a last resort, with 51.0% favoring non-surgical rehabilitation even in chronic cases—those persisting for more than six months. Multidisciplinary care and clear, detailed communication were highly valued. The primary recovery concern was permanent facial sequelae (64.7%). Meanwhile, the internal consistency of the survey, which covered diverse and independent domains, was rather poor (Cronbach’s α = 0.548), reflecting the multidimensional nature of the patient preferences. Conclusion: Korean patients with facial palsy express a strong fear of permanent sequelae, which shapes the preferences of patients toward objective information and treatments with high efficacy. Moreover, the patients were found to favor comprehensive multidisciplinary care, clear and transparent communication, and collaborative relationships with healthcare providers. These findings provide important insights for developing patient-centered clinical guidelines tailored to Korean patients with facial palsy.

키워드