Patient satisfaction and selected physician behaviors: does the type of practice make a difference? J Am Board Fam Pract 1989;2(2):87-92
Date
04/01/1989Pubmed ID
2711889Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0024651052 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 6 CitationsAbstract
This study was designed to show what specific physician characteristics lead to patient satisfaction and to compare satisfaction of patients using either prepaid or fee-for-service modes of payment within the same settings. We surveyed 1142 patients in five family practice clinics in rural and suburban areas of the North Central United States. Regression analysis of a seven-item satisfaction scale showed four significant factors that accounted for variance: sensitivity, is on time for appointments, follows up promptly, and provides personalized medical care. No meaningful differences were found between health-maintenance-organization and fee-for-service patients on these satisfactions. This study expands findings from previous research and raises more questions about reliable rating scales for complex physician/patient relations. Our methods can be used to investigate the effects of newer types of prepaid plans (including individual practice associations and preferred provider organizations) on patient satisfaction. The challenge for future investigations is to test and build reliable predictive models showing how physician characteristics, patient satisfaction, and quality of medical care affect each other in these more complex models of practice and reimbursement.
Author List
Holloway RL, Matson CC, Zismer DKMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAmbulatory Care Facilities
Consumer Behavior
Family Practice
Fees, Medical
Female
Health Maintenance Organizations
Humans
Male
Physician-Patient Relations
Practice Management, Medical
Quality of Health Care
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
