Since 2016, the national e-Satis survey has been collecting feedback from patients hospitalized for more than 48 hours in medical, surgical, or obstetric (MSO) wards. In a report published by the French National Authority for Health (HAS) on August 31, 2026, the agency examined ten campaigns conducted between 2016 and 2025: participation increased and reported scores improved, but these results alone do not summarize the quality of care in each facility.
What the e-Satis survey tells me
The survey focuses on patient experience and satisfaction after a hospital stay of more than 48 hours in a medical, surgical, or obstetrical ward. The responses provide information on aspects such as reception, care, hospitalization conditions, and discharge preparation. This patient-reported indicator complements other approaches to evaluating the quality and safety of care.
The HAS report is a retrospective review of national campaigns from 2016 to 2025, and not a clinical study evaluating the effectiveness of a treatment. It analyzes, in particular, the evolution of participation by healthcare facilities and patients, as well as the evolution of outcomes.
Increased participation, but not without obstacles
According to the HAS (French National Authority for Health), the number of email addresses registered by healthcare facilities has tripled in ten years, exceeding 2.1 million registered patients in 2025. The agency also indicates that nearly nine out of ten people who start the questionnaire complete it. Participation among patients over 75 has increased, although access to digital technology, concerns about data use, lack of understanding of the survey, or repeated solicitations can still hinder responses.
The aggregate results show a steady improvement in satisfaction and experience scores, particularly regarding reception and care. Areas for improvement remain, notably concerning hospitalization conditions and discharge planning. The HAS recommends not relying solely on the
What these results mean in concrete terms
For patients, e-Satis is a way to share their experience after hospitalization. For healthcare facilities, the feedback can guide areas for improvement. Since 2024, a feedback platform has offered visualizations of the results and automated assistance with the classification of comments, to facilitate analysis by professionals and patient representatives.
The HAS plans to continue its work to strengthen participation and encourage more concrete use of the results, including at the service level. The report also mentions the development of questionnaires adapted to specific care pathways, including a survey on the experience of maternity patients, which has been piloted since 2025.
Limits to keep in mind
An increase in scores does not, in itself, demonstrate that all aspects of care have improved, nor that e-Satis is the cause. The results describe the responses collected: those who do not respond may have different experiences, and some groups face greater difficulties in participating. Comparisons should therefore be interpreted with the detailed information provided, and not as a definitive judgment on an institution.
This information is general and does not constitute a medical diagnosis or a personalized prescription.
Source: HAS – Certification and evaluation of establishments – indicators
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