Patient Satisfaction and Perspectives of Continuity of Care among Free Clinic Patients in the USA: A Qualitative Study

Kamimura, Akiko; Chen, Jason Jei Sun; Aguilera, Guadalupe; Stoddard, Mary; Sin, Kai; Pye, Mu; Ashby, Jeanie

doi:10.21767/2049-5471.1000108

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(14 reference statements)

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“…However, ensuring continuity of care can be very challenging in a free clinic setting, because providers of free clinics are often volunteers (7,10). Patients often do not expect volunteer providers to be with the clinic for long, and do not always believe continuity of care is beneficial (11). Free clinic patients feel that they may not be able to see a provider in a timely manner if they see the same provider every visit because volunteer providers do not necessarily see patients regularly (11).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Patients often do not expect volunteer providers to be with the clinic for long, and do not always believe continuity of care is beneficial (11). Free clinic patients feel that they may not be able to see a provider in a timely manner if they see the same provider every visit because volunteer providers do not necessarily see patients regularly (11). Continuity of care can be very important for patient satisfaction among free clinic patients because interpersonal communications with health-care providers influences care and outcomes (12,13).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Continuity of Care: Perspectives of Uninsured Free Clinic Patients

Kamimura

Panahi

Ahmmad

et al. 2018

Journal of Patient Experience

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Background:Continuity of care is vital to the success of a health-care system because it improves patient satisfaction and health outcomes, and reduces hospitalizations and emergency room visits.Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine free clinic patients’ perspectives of continuity of care in the United States.Method:A convenience sample of free clinic patients who were the age of 18 or older and spoke English or Spanish participated in a self-administered survey from January to April in 2017 (N = 580).Results:Better instructions from providers were associated with higher levels of continuity of care (P < .01). Higher levels of stress and worse self-rated general health were related to lower levels of continuity of care (P < .05 for stress, P < .01 for general health). Being employed was associated with lower levels of continuity of care (P < .05). Non-US born English speakers and Spanish speakers rated continuity of care higher than US born English speakers (P < .01).Conclusion:Even if a patient is unable to see the same physician over time, quality instructions from a well-coordinated provider team may enhance continuity of care from patient perspectives. The social context of patients such as working poor individuals is very important for providers to understand in order to identify barriers to continuity of care.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Continuity of Care: Perspectives of Uninsured Free Clinic Patients

Kamimura

Panahi

Ahmmad

et al. 2018

Journal of Patient Experience

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“…While the continuity of care has been identified as important for patient satisfaction because of its association with communication and coordination, a previous study has found that it is not always necessarily perceived to be a positive element for patients [8,[20][21][22]. In contrast, this study found that when respondents mentioned continuity of care in terms of a continuous relationship between a provider and a patient, it was discussed as a necessary feature in their satisfaction of their care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Existing research concludes that patients served by a free healthcare clinic are generally satisfied, but would experience higher satisfaction with the opportunity for increased awareness of programs and services that free clinics offer [12]. However, there are few qualitative studies on patient experience and satisfaction at free clinics and of those that do exist, most have been administered through focus groups [13,14]. It is important to capture voices of free clinic patients in a written, anonymous questionnaire format, as this manner may provide more insights.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives of Health Care Services among Free Clinic Patients in the USA: A Qualitative Study

Juárez¹,

Puerto²,

Hagarty³

et al. 2018

Divers Equal Health Care

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The United States (US) is the only developed country which does not have universal health insurance. Free healthcare clinics are operated largely by volunteers for the purpose of providing healthcare services to populations who are under-or un-insured in the US. Few qualitative studies have been conducted on patient experience and satisfaction at free clinics and, of those that do exist, most have been administered through focus groups. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore perceptions and satisfaction among patients at a free clinic using a qualitative approach. Free clinic patients (N=649) participated in a survey with one open-ended question asking about their perceptions of the free clinic in 2017. This study analyzed the qualitative data from the openended question only. On average, the participants responded as being grateful and satisfied with the services provided by the free clinic. However, participants felt that they would benefit from further continuity of care and a higher number of medical providers, as well as more specialists. Future services to be modified or added, as indicated by the participants, include a greater variety of class times for health education and exercise classes, as well as the addition of urgent care services. To improve patient satisfaction, it is recommended to increase promotions for volunteer opportunities in addition to more training. Furthermore, it is necessary to give patients better access to referrals to community resources that offer the additional services that they are interested in.

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“…Communication is an important component of the patient–provider relationship. For example, it is possible that there are increased miscommunications between uninsured patients and providers ( 2 ). Better patient–provider relationships improve health and quality of care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patient–Provider Relationships Among Vulnerable Patients: The Association With Health Literacy, Continuity of Care, and Self-Rated Health

Kamimura

Higham

Rathi

et al. 2020

Journal of Patient Experience

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While the patient–provider relationship is one factor that can improve access to primary care for underserved populations, vulnerable patients often experience challenges to have a good relationship with providers. The purpose of this study is to examine factors that affect patient–provider relationship among vulnerable patients; in particular, among uninsured primary care patients. This study focused on health literacy, continuity of care, and self-rated health as predictors of patient–provider relationship. A self-administered survey was collected from uninsured primary care patients utilizing a free clinic in the metropolitan area in the Rocky Mountain Region in the United States from May to July in 2018. Higher levels of health literacy and continuity of care are associated with a better patient–provider relationship. Better self-rated health is associated with better patient–provider relationship. Health literacy may improve by the communication and connection with a specific provider because patients better understand the care and/or medications that are being prescribed. Seeing the same provider helps patients develop a better relationship and make clinical decisions in a way that they prefer. Improving the patient–provider relationship can potentially change health outcomes positively for vulnerable patients. Informing patients that they can request a specific medical provider may allow them to increase continuity of care, and improve communication, partnering, connection, and patient centeredness, leading to an increase in health literacy and better self-rated health.

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Patient Satisfaction and Perspectives of Continuity of Care among Free Clinic Patients in the USA: A Qualitative Study

Cited by 4 publications

References 10 publications

Continuity of Care: Perspectives of Uninsured Free Clinic Patients

Continuity of Care: Perspectives of Uninsured Free Clinic Patients

Perspectives of Health Care Services among Free Clinic Patients in the USA: A Qualitative Study

Patient–Provider Relationships Among Vulnerable Patients: The Association With Health Literacy, Continuity of Care, and Self-Rated Health

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