Jennifer E. DeVoe|Lorraine S. Wallace|George E. Fryer
Measuring patients’ perceptions of communication with healthcare providers: Do differences in demographic and socioeconomic characteristics matter?
Oregon Health & Science University|University of Tennessee at Knoxville|New York University
national governments across globe set goals improve healthcare delivery understanding patientprovider communication essential development policies measure well healthcare system delivers carethis study designed determine demographic factors independently associated us patients perceive various aspects communication healthcare providersthe study secondary crosssectional analysis nationally representative data 2002 medical expenditure panel survey meps among us adults healthcare visit past year n approximately 16700 assessed association several covariate demographic socioeconomic factors four dependent measures patient perceptions communication healthcare providersacross four measures communication older patients likely report positively health insurance usual source care consistent predictors positive perceptions communication hispanic patients also reported better perceptions communication across four measures economically disadvantaged patients less likely report providers always explained things understood male patients likely report providers always spent enough time themthis study suggests patient perceptions communication healthcare settings vary widely demographics individual patient characteristics paper discuss relevance communication disparities design policies improve healthcare systems individual practice level national level